Precision defect integrated graphene as reliable support membrane for high-resolution cryo-transmission electron microscopy
Résumé
Graphene is an excellent support film for high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) but its use
with biological samples, notably in cryo-TEM, is hindered by its inherent hydrophobicity. Whereas surface
treatments have been proposed to render graphene hydrophilic, they are often difficult to reproduce due to a lack
of information on the structural changes that modify the wetting properties of graphene. This study aims to
correlate the atomic structure of graphene with its wetting properties to allow a reproducible protocol to advance
its application in cryo-TEM. We follow the change in the atomic structure of graphene as a function of low-energy
hydrogen plasma treatment duration on monolayer graphene transferred onto TEM grids. With finely controlled
plasma exposure, partial hydrogenation, monoatomic vacancies, and pores of a few nanometers are realized in
the graphene. The introduction of defects (vacancies and pores) enables the formation of continuous layers of
vitreous ice on TEM grids. Grids with defect-integrated graphene are reproduced and used in the vitrification of
the mouse serotonin 5-HT3 receptor, a membrane protein. Single particle analysis of the membrane protein on
graphene compared to conventional holey carbon film give insight into the strengths and discretions in using
graphene membrane for protein structural studies.
Domaines
Physique [physics]Origine | Fichiers produits par l'(les) auteur(s) |
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