In a significant scientific breakthrough, researchers have unveiled a new sample holder device, streamlined to expedite fixed-target serial femtosecond crystallography (FT-SFX) experiments, which are used to determine the crystal structures of different substances. This innovation potentially represents a paradigm shift in crystallographic studies, offering a cost-effective and simple solution with promising implications for both research and pharmaceutical industries.
The study, entitled “Nylon mesh-based sample holder for fixed-target serial femtosecond crystallography,” published in Scientific Reports, documents the creation of a nylon mesh-based sample holder designed to facilitate the process of FT-SFX at ambient temperatures with minimal sample consumption. The research article has a DOI number of 10.1038/s41598-019-43485-z.
Background of FT-SFX
Serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) allows scientists to decode the molecular structure of proteins at room temperatures, providing a snapshot of these molecules in their natural state. In contrast to traditional crystallography methods that often require cooling, SFX utilizes X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) to analyze tiny protein crystals before any damage occurs due to radiation. This innovative approach has yielded an abundance of new information about the structure and function of numerous biomolecules.
However, FT-SFX requires a means of delivering these crystals into the path of an X-ray beam in a consistent and repeatable manner. The creation of sample holders for FT-SFX has proved both cost-intensive and technologically demanding, prompting the need for a more accessible alternative.
The Innovative Nylon Mesh-Based Sample Holder
Researchers from institutions such as the Division of Biotechnology at Korea University and the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory have risen to this challenge. Their study introduces a simple device assembled from commercially available nylon mesh enclosed by a polyimide film to serve as a sample holder for FT-SFX.
This straightforward method was capable of collecting over 130,000 images on a single sample holder at a pulse frequency of 30 Hz over a duration of 1.2 hours. Remarkably, the crystal structures of lysozyme and glucose isomerase were determined at resolutions of 1.65 and 1.75 Å, respectively. The nylon mesh induced negligible background scattering, making it non-intrusive for data analysis.
The resulting cost and time efficiency could lead to a democratization of FT-SFX technology, enabling its broader use and potentially accelerating the pace of scientific discovery in protein crystallography.
Advantages and Implications for the Future
The nylon mesh-based sample holder proposition illustrates how simplicity can reign supreme over complexity in the scientific apparatus. This research could herald a new era where FT-SFX becomes more accessible, leading to groundbreaking advancements in our understanding of biological systems and the development of pharmaceuticals.
The implications of such a cost-effective and efficient sample holder open up the possibility of high-throughput crystallography, making it feasible for more laboratories across the globe to participate in cutting-edge molecular science. This empowerment can lead to international collaboration and a rapid increase in the knowledge pool concerning molecular structures.
References and Further Reading
1. Schlichting, I. (2015). Serial femtosecond crystallography: the first five years. IUCrJ, 2, 246–255. DOI: 10.1107/S205225251402702X
2. Chavas, L. M., Gumprecht, L., & Chapman, H. N. (2015). Possibilities for serial femtosecond crystallography sample delivery at future light sources. Struct Dyn, 2, 041709. DOI: 10.1063/1.4921220
3. Sierra, R. G., et al. (2014). Nanoflow electrospinning serial femtosecond crystallography. Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr, 68, 1584–1587. DOI: 10.1107/S0907444912038152
4. Lee, D., et al. (2019). Nylon mesh-based sample holder for fixed-target serial femtosecond crystallography. Sci Rep, 9, 6971. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43485-z
5. Nam, K. H. (2019). Sample Delivery Media for Serial Crystallography. Intl J Mol Sci, 20(5), 1094. DOI: 10.3390/ijms20051094
Keywords
1. Serial femtosecond crystallography
2. Nylon mesh sample holder
3. Protein crystal structures
4. Fixed-target SFX
5. X-ray free-electron lasers
By embracing such innovative approaches, researchers are continuing to push the frontiers of science, bringing us closer to a detailed understanding of the very building blocks of life. This innovative nylon mesh-based sample holder for FT-SFX is a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of enhancing technological tools to uncover the mysteries of the natural world.