3D Imaging of Diatoms with Ion-abrasion Scanning Electron Microscopy

Published

June 9, 2009

Author(s)

Keana C. Scott, Mark Hildebrand, Sang Kim, Dan Shi, Sriram Subramaniam

Abstract

Ion-abrasion scanning electron microscopy (IASEM) takes advantage of focused ion beams to abrade thin sections from the surface of bulk specimens, coupled with SEM to image the surface of each section, enabling 3D reconstructions of subcellular architecture at ~ 30 nm resolution. Here, we report the first application of IASEM for imaging a biomineralizing organism, the marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana. Diatoms have highly patterned silica-based cell wall structures that are unique models for the study and application of directed nanomaterials synthesis by biological systems. Our study provides new insights into the architecture and assembly principles of both the hard (siliceous) and soft (organic) components of the cell. From 3D reconstructions of developmentally synchronized diatoms captured at different stages, we show that both micro- and nanoscale siliceous structures can be visualized at specific stages in their formation. We show that not only are structures visualized in a whole-cell context, but demonstrate that fragile, early-stage structures are visible, and that this can be combined with elemental mapping in the exposed slice. We demonstrate that the 3D architectures of silica structures, and the cellular components that mediate their creation and positioning can be visualized simultaneously, providing new opportunities to study and manipulate mineral nanostructures in a genetically tractable system.

Citation

Journal of Structural Biology

Volume

166

Issue

3

Pub Type

Journals

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Keywords

"Diatom", "Ion-abrasion SEM", "Biomineral structure formation", "Biosilicification", "3D tomography"

Citation

Scott, K. , Hildebrand, M. , Kim, S. , Shi, D. and Subramaniam, S. (2009), 3D Imaging of Diatoms with Ion-abrasion Scanning Electron Microscopy, Journal of Structural Biology, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=901169 (Accessed December 3, 2024)