Regensburg 2013 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 10: Posters: Imaging

BP 10.14: Poster

Monday, March 11, 2013, 17:30–19:30, Poster B2

Scanning X-Ray Nano-Diffraction on Hydrated Cells in Microfluidic Devices — •Britta Weinhausen, Christian Dammann, Oliva Saldanha, Robin Wilke, Christian Olendrowitz, Jens-Friedrich Nolting, Tim Salditt, and Sarah Köster — Institute for X-Ray Physics, University of Göttingen, Germany

The combination of X-ray scattering techniques with sample chambers based on microfluidics allows for studying biological samples in a well-controlled and adaptable environment. However, bio- as well as X-ray compatibility of the materials, the device geometry and the sample environment is a challenging issue during device fabrication. Especially when using high-flux synchrotron radiation sources, material degradation or strong background scattering is observed for most materials that are commonly used for microfluidic experiments in combination with visible light microscopy.

We develop a novel type of X-ray compatible microfluidic device, which is based on silicon nitride membranes as window material and allows for studies on hydrated biological samples. As sample we choose adherent eukaryotic SK8K18-2 cells, exhibiting a pronounced keratin network structure. Scanning nano-diffraction experiments using hard X-rays are performed on fixed (hydrated) as well as living cells in these flow chambers at different synchrotron set-ups. Different contrast mechanisms are employed to generate real-space images of the cells with a resolution on the order of the beam size.