Cryo-FIB & Cryo-ET: 3D Visualisation of Cellulose and Meshing Architecture in Onion Cell Walls
Original video: https://youtu.be/JxJvR-QJT7I
This video offers an unprecedented look into the nanoscale architecture of the plant cell wall, demonstrating the power of correlative cryo-microscopy techniques. The goal is to overcome the challenge of visualising the cell wall's dense, complex structure in its native, hydrated state.
Methodology Featured:
We first utilize Cryo-FIB (Focused Ion Beam) Milling to meticulously shave away material from the frozen, bulky onion cell wall peels. This essential step generates ultra-thin, electron-transparent lamellae, which are perfectly suited for high-resolution imaging.
Subsequently, we perform Cryo-ET (Cryo-Electron Tomography) on these lamellae. By acquiring multiple images at different tilt angles, we computationally reconstruct a 3D tomogram, revealing the intricate organisation of the cell wall components.
Key Visualisations:
The video visually highlights the structural findings:
Cellulose Fibers (Yellow): Observe the rigid, load-bearing microfibrils that give the wall its strength and directionality.
Meshing (Red): Visualize the less-ordered, potentially pectin-rich matrix material that forms a network (meshing) around the cellulose scaffold.
This demonstration is a valuable resource for researchers and students in plant biology, structural biology, and biophysics, showcasing the cutting-edge methods used to study native cellular structures at molecular resolution.
Keywords: Cryo-FIB Milling, Cryo-ET, Cryo-Electron Tomography, Onion Cell Wall, Onion, Pectins
Citation:
Nicolas, W. J., Fäßler, F., Dutka, P., Schur, F. K., Jensen, G., & Meyerowitz, E. (2022). Cryo-electron tomography of the onion cell wall shows bimodally oriented cellulose fibers and reticulated homogalacturonan networks. Current Biology, 32(11), 2375-2389.
Attribution 4.0 International — CC BY 4.0 - Creative Commons
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