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.

本项目旨在结合高度互补的多类成像技术，即扫描小角X射线散射（scanning small angle X-ray scattering）、快速明场显微镜技术与可见光荧光显微镜技术，以解析生物细胞内部组分的结构，其中重点聚焦于细胞骨架与细胞核。尤为重要的是，该规划中的成像装置未来可适配多种不同样品类型，覆盖生物样品、软物质体系乃至硬凝聚态物质体系。未来三年的研究重点将集中于两类对象：(i) 具有显著角蛋白网络的模式细胞系；(ii) 携带或不携带引发心肌病的结蛋白突变体的生物学相关心肌细胞。该装置在完成搭建与调试后，将向用户社区开放共享。