FastScan - Fast Correlative Scanning SAXS and Visible Light Fluorescence Imaging of Biological Matter

The aim of this project is to combine highly complementary imaging methods – i.e., scanning small angle x-ray scattering, fast bright field microscopy and visible light fluorescence microscopy - for the structure determination of components inside biological cells, in particular the cytoskeleton and the nucleus. Importantly, the planned setup will in the future be applicable to a multitude of different sample types, from biological to soft matter and hard condensed matter. Our focus for the upcoming three years will be on (i) model cell lines with a pronounced keratin network, and (ii) biologically relevant heart muscle cells with and without desmin mutants that cause cardiomyopathy. The setup shall be made available to the user community after set-up and commissioning.