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Imaging Proteins Using Electrons

Imaging Proteins Using Electrons

Imaging with electrons allows researchers to discern atomic details of large, complex molecules like proteins. During the imaging process, the interaction of electrons with the molecules being imaged inflicts damage that can alter the structure. Cryogenic temperatures (cryo-EM) can reduce the extent of this damage, but as we showed in a recent study, some parts […]

Visualizing Proteins with Cryo-EM

Visualizing Proteins with Cryo-EM

This image displays a number of the critical elements for determining the structure of a protein by cryo-electron microscopy. First, a solution containing many identical copies of a protein are spread on a grid (upper left), and quickly frozen to liquid nitrogen temperatures. These are imaged with an electron beam (teal), producing black-and-white images showing […]

HIV in the Brain

HIV in the Brain

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) primarily attacks helper T cells, rapidly-dividing cells that are critical components of the immune system. The immune system keeps the virus in check by eliminating infected T cells. However, the virus can also occasionally invade long-lived cells like macrophages in the blood, or astrocytes in the brain, hiding away and […]

T cells Transfer HIV

T cells Transfer HIV

This post is dedicated to the memory of our colleague Gavin Murphy, the primary author of this study, who passed away July 4, 2017. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the causative agent for AIDS (or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). The virus primarily infects CD4+ T cells, a class of immune cells critical for defense […]

Stepping into a Melanoma Cell

Stepping into a Melanoma Cell

The image above shows the internal organization of a melanoma cell, a cancer cell descended from pigment-containing skin cells. This image was generated from data acquired with focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM), a method for 3D imaging of cells that we have been developing in our laboratory for several years. In a study […]

Formation of the HIV Core

Formation of the HIV Core

Before reaching their mature, fully infectious form, HIV virus particles transition through an immature, non-infectious state. In the non-infectious form, the inside of the virus particle is lined with a lattice of Gag proteins. During the virus’ transition from the immature state to the fully infectious state, a piece of the Gag protein (the capsid) […]

A 3D View of SIV

A 3D View of SIV

The simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), like its close relative human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), infects immune cells (such as T cells) using its envelope glycoprotein spike. Many copies of this spike dot the membranous outer surface of the virus, while the virus’ genetic material is packed within, inside a conical core. Individual copies of the virus, […]

Dendritic Cell with HIV

Dendritic Cell with HIV

Classic images of dendritic cells show long finger-like appendages flowing around and circling the cell body; these appendages, called dendrites, are the feature that gave rise to the cell type’s name. But in studies published by our lab in 2010-2011, new high-resolution 3D images revealed that the appendages are more like flaps than fingers, and […]

Visualizing Ebola Virus

Visualizing Ebola Virus

As with most viruses, the Ebola virus itself is very small – too small to be seen even in a high-powered light microscope. But when visualized in an electron microscope, the surface of the filament-shaped virus particle (also known as a virion) can be seen, studded with small proteins on its surface (upper right of […]

Inhibiting Influenza

Inhibiting Influenza

The surface of the influenza (flu) virus is covered with two proteins: hemagglutinin (HA), and neuraminidase (NA). While the immune system can recognize both surface proteins, because HA is the protein that enables viral entry into cells, it is a high priority target for researchers trying to create a long-lasting, universal flu vaccine. The HA […]