X-ray imaging of a single virus in 3-D

By imaging single viruses injected into the intense beam of an X-ray free-electron laser, researchers have determined the three-dimensional structure of a mimivirus. The technique could be applied to image other pathogenic viruses like HIV or influenza and, with further improvements, it may allow researchers to tackle smaller biomolecules like proteins. This could enable the study of many important biomolecules that cannot form crystals and thus cannot be investigated by X-ray crystallography.

For further details see:

Tomas Ekeberg, Martin Svenda, Chantal Abergel, et al. Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of the Giant Mimivirus Particle with an X-Ray Free-Electron Laser. Physical Review Letters, 2015; 114 (9) DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.114.098102

Posted by Tim Sandle