Spatial and temporal resolution in cryo-electron microscopy—A scope for nano-chemistry

• Published in: Current opinion in colloid & interface science Vol. 10; no. 5; pp. 245 - 249
• Main Authors: Frederik, P.M., Sommerdijk, N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-12-2005; Elsevier
• Subjects: Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Cryo-EM; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Langmuir films; Physical and chemical studies. Granulometry. Electrokinetic phenomena; Time resolution; Tomography; Tomography; Time resolution; Langmuir films; Cryo-EM; Water; Reconstruction; Film; Instrumentation; Electron microscopy; Colloid; Langmuir layer; Mechanism; Nanometer scale; Chemistry; Molecular assembly; Dynamics; Preparation; Structure
• ISSN: 1359-0294; 1879-0399
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2005.09.018

Cryo-electron microscopy has evolved in an established approach to study the structure of bio-colloids. Recent developments in instrumentation and automation, often demanded by life sciences, made cryo-EM a general tool in colloid chemistry. Recently improved instrumentation for vitrification has resulted in reliable and reproducible preparation of specimen in water and other solvents. A dynamic approach, following processes in time is gaining importance and a time resolution up to 1 ms is expected to become general available. With improved instrumentation and automation 3D reconstructions by cryo-EM tomography are becoming routinely accessible. Tomography as such or in conjunction with time resolved microscopy is expected to give new insights in (macro)molecular assembly/disassembly mechanisms and thus become an essential tool in nano-chemistry.