Fast scanning SAXS of hydrated biological cells

We have recently employed hard X-ray scanning SAXS in a special fast scanning mode at ID13 to image hundreds of freeze-dried mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) in a single scan. The MEFs were used as a suitable model cell system to study the influence of different cytoskeletal proteins on cell structure and mechanics. In the proposed experiment, we suggest to get closer to physiological conditions, by applying the method to hydrated cells. We will fabricate special fluid chambers and investigate MEFs expressing either healthy wild type desmin or a disease mutant of desmin (R406W) which leads to protein aggregates in the cells. These aggregates are possibly related to severe muscle diseases and a thorough understanding of their nanoscale structure is of great importance.