New images of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus demonstrate the potential of helium ion microscopy in bioimaging, especially for the imaging of interactions between viruses and their host organisms.
This helium ion microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles (blue). Image credit: N. Frese / Bielefeld University.
Helium ion microscopy provides the opportunity to obtain direct views of biological samples such as cellular structures, virus particles and microbial interactions.
Imaging with this technique combines sub-nanometer resolution, great depth of field and high surface sensitivity.
Due to the ability to compensate for charge, helium ion microscopy can image biological samples without additional conductive coatings.
“This conductive coating changes the surface structure of the sample,” said Professor Armin Gölzhäuser, a researcher at the Faculty of Physics at Bielefeld University.
“Helium-ion microscopy does not require a coating and therefore allows direct scanning.”
“Our study shows that the helium-ion microscope is suitable for imaging coronaviruses – so precisely that the interaction between virus and host can be observed,” said Dr. Natalie Frese, also from the Faculty of Physics at Bielefeld University, added.
Using the helium ion microscope, the researchers took images of Vero E6 cells infected with SARS-CoV-2.
Their images reveal the 3D appearance of the virus and the surface of Vero E6 cells with an edge resolution of up to 1.3 nm.
“Helium-ion microscopy is well suited for imaging the cell’s defense mechanisms that take place at the cell membrane,” said Professor Friedemann Weber, a virologist at the Institute of Virology at Justus-Liebig University Giessen.
“This method is a significant improvement for the imaging of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that interacts with the infected cell,” said Professor Holger Sudhoff, chief physician at the University Clinic for Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at Bielefeld University. said.
“Helium ion microscopy may help to better understand the infection process in COVID-19 patients.”
The team’s report is in the Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology.
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Natalie Frese et al. 2021. Imaging of SARS-CoV-2-infected Vero E6 cells by helium ion microscopy. Beilstein J. Nanotechnol 12: 172-179; doi: 10.3762 / bjnano.12.13