scholarly journals Nanoscale chromatin imaging and analysis platform bridges 4D chromatin organization with molecular function

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. eabe4310
Author(s):  
Yue Li ◽  
Adam Eshein ◽  
Ranya K.A. Virk ◽  
Aya Eid ◽  
Wenli Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Tomography ◽  
Super Resolution ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Average Diameter ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Molecular Function ◽  
Label Free ◽  
Multiple Length Scales ◽  
Chromatin Packing ◽  
Analysis Platform

Extending across multiple length scales, dynamic chromatin structure is linked to transcription through the regulation of genome organization. However, no individual technique can fully elucidate this structure and its relation to molecular function at all length and time scales at both a single-cell level and a population level. Here, we present a multitechnique nanoscale chromatin imaging and analysis (nano-ChIA) platform that consolidates electron tomography of the primary chromatin fiber, optical super-resolution imaging of transcription processes, and label-free nano-sensing of chromatin packing and its dynamics in live cells. Using nano-ChIA, we observed that chromatin is localized into spatially separable packing domains, with an average diameter of around 200 nanometers, sub-megabase genomic size, and an internal fractal structure. The chromatin packing behavior of these domains exhibits a complex bidirectional relationship with active gene transcription. Furthermore, we found that properties of PDs are correlated among progenitor and progeny cells across cell division.

scholarly journals Nanoscale Chromatin Imaging and Analysis (nano-ChIA) platform bridges 4-D chromatin organization with molecular function

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue Li ◽  
Adam Eshein ◽  
Ranya K.A. Virk ◽  
Aya Eid ◽  
Wenli Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chromatin Structure ◽  
Electron Tomography ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Average Diameter ◽  
Chromatin Organization ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Molecular Function ◽  
Label Free ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Chromatin Packing

AbstractIn eukaryotic cells, chromatin structure is linked to transcription processes through the regulation of genome organization. Extending across multiple length-scales - from the nucleosome to higher-order three-dimensional structures - chromatin is a dynamic system which evolves throughout the lifetime of a cell. However, no individual technique can fully elucidate the behavior of chromatin organization and its relation to molecular function at all length- and timescales at both a single-cell and a cell population level. Herein, we present a multi-technique nanoscale Chromatin Imaging and Analysis (nano-ChIA) platform that bridges electron tomography and optical superresolution imaging of chromatin conformation and transcriptional processes, with resolution down to the level of individual nucleosomes, with high-throughput, label-free analysis of chromatin packing and its dynamics in live cells. Utilizing nano-ChIA, we observed that chromatin is localized into spatially separable packing domains, with an average diameter of around 200 nm, sub-Mb genomic size, and an internal fractal structure. The chromatin packing behavior of these domains is directly influenced by active gene transcription. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the chromatin packing domain structure is correlated among progenitor cells and all their progeny, indicating that the organization of chromatin into fractal packing domains is heritable across cell division. Further studies employing the nano-ChIA platform have the potential to provide a more coherent picture of chromatin structure and its relation to molecular function.

scholarly journals Live Cell Partial Wave Spectroscopic microscopy: Label-free Imaging of the Native, Living Cellular Nano-architecture

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. Almassalha ◽  
G. M. Bauer ◽  
J. Chandler ◽  
S. Gladstein ◽  
L. Cherkezya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Partial Wave ◽  
Chromatin Structure ◽  
Imaging Technique ◽  
Quantitative Imaging ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Live Cell ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Molecular Function ◽  
Metabolic Function ◽  
Label Free

AbstractThe organization of chromatin is a regulator of molecular processes including transcription, replication, and DNA repair. The structures within chromatin that regulate these processes span from the nucleosomal (10nm) to the chromosomal (>200nm) levels, with little known about the dynamics of chromatin structure between these scales due to a lack of quantitative imaging technique in live cells. Previous work using Partial Wave Spectroscopic (PWS) microscopy, a quantitative imaging technique with sensitivity to macromolecular organization between 20-200nm, has shown that transformation of chromatin at these length scales is a fundamental event during carcinogenesis. As the dynamics of chromatin likely play a critical regulatory role in cellular function, it is critical to develop live-cell imaging techniques that can probe the real-time temporal behavior of the chromatin nano-architecture. Therefore, we developed a live cell PWS technique which allows high-throughput, label-free study of the causal relationship between nanoscale organization and molecular function in real-time. In this work, we employ live cell PWS to study the change in chromatin structure due to DNA damage and expand on the link between metabolic function and the structure of higher-order chromatin. In particular, we studied the temporal changes to chromatin during UV light exposure, show that live cell DNA binding dyes induce damage to chromatin within seconds, and demonstrate a direct link between higher-order chromatin structure and mitochondrial membrane potential. Since biological function is tightly paired with structure, live cell PWS is a powerful tool to study the nanoscale structure-function relationship in live cells.Significance StatementChromatin is one of the most critical structures within the cell because it houses most genetic information. Its structure is well understood at the nucleosomal (<20nm) and chromosomal (>200nm) levels, however, due to the lack of quantitative imaging modalities to study this organization, little is known about the higher-order structure between these length scales in live cells. We present a label-free technique, live cell Partial Wave Spectroscopic (PWS) microscopy with sensitivity to structures between 20-200nm that can quantify the nano-architecture in live cells. With this technique, we can detect DNA fragmentation and expand on the link between metabolic function and higher-order chromatin structure. Live cell PWS allows high-throughput, label-free study of the causal relationship between nanoscale organization and molecular function in live cells.

scholarly journals Utilizing Stimulated Raman Scattering Microscopy To Study Intracellular Distribution of Label-Free Ponatinib in Live Cells

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 2028-2034 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristel Sepp ◽  
Martin Lee ◽  
Marie T. J. Bluntzer ◽  
G. Vignir Helgason ◽  
Alison N. Hulme ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Raman Scattering ◽  
Stimulated Raman Scattering ◽  
Intracellular Distribution ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Label Free ◽  
Stimulated Raman

scholarly journals 3D super-resolved imaging in live cells using sub-diffractive plasmonic localization of hybrid nanopillar arrays

Nanophotonics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 2847-2859
Author(s):  
Soojung Kim ◽  
Hyerin Song ◽  
Heesang Ahn ◽  
Seung Won Jun ◽  
Seungchul Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Optical Loss ◽  
Super Resolution ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Complex Biological System ◽  
Observation Volume ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Nanopillar Arrays

AbstractAnalysing dynamics of a single biomolecule using high-resolution imaging techniques has been had significant attentions to understand complex biological system. Among the many approaches, vertical nanopillar arrays in contact with the inside of cells have been reported as a one of useful imaging applications since an observation volume can be confined down to few-tens nanometre theoretically. However, the nanopillars experimentally are not able to obtain super-resolution imaging because their evanescent waves generate a high optical loss and a low signal-to-noise ratio. Also, conventional nanopillars have a limitation to yield 3D information because they do not concern field localization in z-axis. Here, we developed novel hybrid nanopillar arrays (HNPs) that consist of SiO2 nanopillars terminated with gold nanodisks, allowing extreme light localization. The electromagnetic field profiles of HNPs are obtained through simulations and imaging resolution of cell membrane and biomolecules in living cells are tested using one-photon and 3D multiphoton fluorescence microscopy, respectively. Consequently, HNPs present approximately 25 times enhanced intensity compared to controls and obtained an axial and lateral resolution of 110 and 210 nm of the intensities of fluorophores conjugated with biomolecules transported in living cells. These structures can be a great platform to analyse complex intracellular environment.

scholarly journals Microfluidic Tools for Enhanced Characterization of Therapeutic Stem Cells and Prediction of Their Potential Antimicrobial Secretome

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 750
Author(s):  
Pasquale Marrazzo ◽  
Valeria Pizzuti ◽  
Silvia Zia ◽  
Azzurra Sargenti ◽  
Daniele Gazzola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Label Free ◽  
Bacterial Diseases ◽  
Prospective Application ◽  
Therapy Strategies ◽  
Stromal Stem Cells ◽  
Different Sources

Antibiotic resistance is creating enormous attention on the development of new antibiotic-free therapy strategies for bacterial diseases. Mesenchymal stromal stem cells (MSCs) are the most promising candidates in current clinical trials and included in several cell-therapy protocols. Together with the well-known immunomodulatory and regenerative potential of the MSC secretome, these cells have shown direct and indirect anti-bacterial effects. However, the low reproducibility and standardization of MSCs from different sources are the current limitations prior to the purification of cell-free secreted antimicrobial peptides and exosomes. In order to improve MSC characterization, novel label-free functional tests, evaluating the biophysical properties of the cells, will be advantageous for their cell profiling, population sorting, and quality control. We discuss the potential of emerging microfluidic technologies providing new insights into density, shape, and size of live cells, starting from heterogeneous or 3D cultured samples. The prospective application of these technologies to studying MSC populations may contribute to developing new biopharmaceutical strategies with a view to naturally overcoming bacterial defense mechanisms.

scholarly journals Label-Free Digital Holo-tomographic Microscopy Reveals Virus-Induced Cytopathic Effects in Live Cells

mSphere ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Artur Yakimovich ◽  
Robert Witte ◽  
Vardan Andriasyan ◽  
Fanny Georgi ◽  
Urs F. Greber
Keyword(s):  
Refractive Index ◽  
Vaccinia Virus ◽  
Virus Type ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Refractive Index Gradient ◽  
Label Free ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Cytopathic Effects ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Index Gradient

ABSTRACTCytopathic effects (CPEs) are a hallmark of infections. CPEs are difficult to observe due to phototoxicity from classical light microscopy. We report distinct patterns of virus infections in live cells using digital holo-tomographic microscopy (DHTM). DHTM is label-free and records the phase shift of low-energy light passing through the specimen on a transparent surface with minimal perturbation. DHTM measures the refractive index (RI) and computes the refractive index gradient (RIG), unveiling optical heterogeneity in cells. We find that vaccinia virus (VACV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and rhinovirus (RV) infections progressively and distinctly increased RIG. VACV infection, but not HSV and RV infections, induced oscillations of cell volume, while all three viruses altered cytoplasmic membrane dynamics and induced apoptotic features akin to those caused by the chemical compound staurosporine. In sum, we introduce DHTM for quantitative label-free microscopy in infection research and uncover virus type-specific changes and CPE in living cells with minimal interference.IMPORTANCEThis study introduces label-free digital holo-tomographic microscopy (DHTM) and refractive index gradient (RIG) measurements of live, virus-infected cells. We use DHTM to describe virus type-specific cytopathic effects, including cyclic volume changes of vaccinia virus infections, and cytoplasmic condensations in herpesvirus and rhinovirus infections, distinct from apoptotic cells. This work shows for the first time that DHTM is suitable to observe virus-infected cells and distinguishes virus type-specific signatures under noninvasive conditions. It provides a basis for future studies, where correlative fluorescence microscopy of cell and virus structures annotate distinct RIG values derived from DHTM.

scholarly journals Super-Resolution Label-free Volumetric Vibrational Imaging

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenxi Qian ◽  
Kun Miao ◽  
Li-En Lin ◽  
Xinhong Chen ◽  
Jiajun Du ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Super Resolution ◽  
Label Free ◽  
Fluorescence Techniques ◽  
Biological Structures ◽  
Imaging Strategy ◽  
Endogenous Proteins ◽  
Low Efficiency ◽  
Protein Rich

Innovations in high-resolution optical imaging have allowed visualization of nanoscale biological structures and connections. However, super-resolution fluorescence techniques, including both optics-oriented and sample-expansion based, are limited in quantification and throughput especially in tissues from photobleaching or quenching of the fluorophores, and low-efficiency or non-uniform delivery of the probes. Here, we report a general sample-expansion vibrational imaging strategy, termed VISTA, for scalable label-free high-resolution interrogations of protein-rich biological structures with resolution down to 82 nm. VISTA achieves decent three-dimensional image quality through optimal retention of endogenous proteins, isotropic sample expansion, and deprivation of scattering lipids. Free from probe-labeling associated issues, VISTA offers unbiased and high-throughput tissue investigations. With correlative VISTA and immunofluorescence, we further validated the imaging specificity of VISTA and trained an image-segmentation model for label-free multi-component and volumetric prediction of nucleus, blood vessels, neuronal cells and dendrites in complex mouse brain tissues. VISTA could hence open new avenues for versatile biomedical studies.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document