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Cryogenic coherent X‐ray diffraction imaging of biological samples at SACLA: a correlative approach with cryo‐electron and light microscopy
Author(s) -
Takayama Yuki,
Yonekura Koji
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
acta crystallographica section a
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.742
H-Index - 83
ISSN - 2053-2733
DOI - 10.1107/s2053273315023980
Subject(s) - optics , microscopy , diffraction , laser , biological specimen , electron microscope , materials science , resolution (logic) , coherent diffraction imaging , physics , phase retrieval , fourier transform , quantum mechanics , artificial intelligence , computer science
Coherent X‐ray diffraction imaging at cryogenic temperature (cryo‐CXDI) allows the analysis of internal structures of unstained, non‐crystalline, whole biological samples in micrometre to sub‐micrometre dimensions. Targets include cells and cell organelles. This approach involves preparing frozen‐hydrated samples under controlled humidity, transferring the samples to a cryo‐stage inside a vacuum chamber of a diffractometer, and then exposing the samples to coherent X‐rays. Since 2012, cryo‐coherent diffraction imaging (CDI) experiments have been carried out with the X‐ray free‐electron laser (XFEL) at the SPring‐8 Ångstrom Compact free‐electron LAser (SACLA) facility in Japan. Complementary use of cryo‐electron microscopy and/or light microscopy is highly beneficial for both pre‐checking samples and studying the integrity or nature of the sample. This article reports the authors' experience in cryo‐XFEL‐CDI of biological cells and organelles at SACLA, and describes an attempt towards reliable and higher‐resolution reconstructions, including signal enhancement with strong scatterers and Patterson‐search phasing.