Dresden 2020 – scientific programme
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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik
BP 20: Poster VIII
BP 20.3: Poster
Tuesday, March 17, 2020, 14:00–16:00, P2/4OG
Imaging single glycans — •Xu Wu1, Martina Delbianco2, Kelvin Anggara1, Stephan Rauschenbach1,3, Sabine Abb1, Peter Seeberger2, and Klaus Kern1 — 1Max-Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung, Stuttgart — 2Max-Planck-Institut für Kolloid und Grenzflächenforschung, Potsdam — 3Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford
Imaging biomolecules guides the understanding of their diverse structures and functions [1]. Real space imaging at sub-nanometer resolution by cryo-electron microscopy has provided key insights into proteins and their assemblies. Direct molecular imaging of glycans, the predominant biopolymers on earth with a plethora of structural and biological functions, is currently not possible. Inherent glycan complexity and backbone flexibility requires single molecule approaches for real space imaging. Glycan characterization using mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance provides insights into size, sequence, branching, and connectivity but rely on structure reconstruction from indirect information. Here, we show direct low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) imaging of single glycan molecules that are isolated by mass-selective, soft-landing electrospray ion-beam deposition [2]. Sub-nanometer resolution allows for the visualization of glycan connectivity and discrimination between regio-isomers. Direct glycan imaging is an important step towards a better understanding of the structure of carbohydrates.
[1] Unwin, P. N. T, et. al. J. Mol. Biol. 94, 425-440 (1975). [2] Rauschenbach, S., et. al. Annu. Rev. Anal. Chem. 9, 473-498 (2016).