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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik
BP 28: Poster Session II
BP 28.2: Poster
Donnerstag, 30. März 2023, 18:00–20:00, P2/EG
Scanning small angle x-ray scattering of hydrated, keratin- rich cells in flow environment — •Boram Yu1, Sophie-Charlotte August1, Peter Luley1, Manfred Burgerhammer2, and Sarah Köster1 — 1Institute for X-Ray Physics, University of Göttingen, Germany — 2European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), Grenoble, France
Intermediate filaments (IFs), one of the three main components of the cytoskeleton, form a network that contributes to cell mechanics. Thus, collecting structural information about IF networks in their physiological setting, i.e., in whole living cells, is crucial. We study mammalian cells expressing cytokeratin, which forms bundle structures. To obtain this information, we use scanning small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), as it provides both real space overview images with moderate resolution and reciprocal space information with a high resolution. X-ray imaging of cells in aqueous state is challenging as their electron density contrast is low, and pronounced radiation damage and radiation-induced gas formation occurs. For this reason, we used a dedicated flow sample chamber that minimizes the thickness of liquid layer in the beam path and serves to exchange liquid continuously during scanning. Despite weak contrast and short exposure times, we are able to retrieve the local main orientation of subcellular structures, thus demonstrating how scanning SAXS offers valuable information from fixed-hydrated cells in liquid flow.