Molecular-scale imaging of unstained deoxyribonucleic acid fibers by phase transmission electron microscopy

Journal Article · Mon Sep 25 00:00:00 EDT 2006 · Applied Physics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2357564· OSTI ID:20860938

Takai, Yoshizo; Nomaguchi, Tsunenori; Matsushita, Shuhei; Kimura, Yoshihide ^[1]

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1. Department of Material and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0879 (Japan)

The molecular structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fibers was observed by a phase reconstruction method called three-dimensional Fourier filtering using a 200 kV transmission electron microscope. The characteristic helical structure and the spacing of adjacent base pairs of DNA were partially resolved due to an improved signal-to-noise ratio and resolution enhancement by the phase reconstruction although the molecular structure was damaged by the electron beam irradiation. In the spherical aberration-free phase images, the arrangements of single atom-sized spots forming sinusoidal curves were sometimes observed, which seem to be the contrast originating in the sulfur atoms along the main chains.

• OSTI ID: 20860938
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 89, Issue 13; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2357564; (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
ATOMS
BIOPHYSICS
DNA
ELECTRON BEAMS
FIBERS
GEOMETRICAL ABERRATIONS
IMAGE PROCESSING
IRRADIATION
MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
RESOLUTION
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO
SULFUR
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY