用于小角X射线散射的太赫兹透明3D打印微流控池

A THz transparent 3D printed microfluidic cell for small angle x-ray scattering.

作者信息

Schewa S, Schroer M A, Zickmantel T, Song Y-H, Blanchet C E, Gruzinov A Yu, Katona G, Svergun D I, Roessle M

机构信息

University of Applied Sciences Lübeck, Mönkhofer Weg 239, 23562 Lübeck, Germany.

European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Hamburg Outstation c/o DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany.

出版信息

Rev Sci Instrum. 2020 Aug 1;91(8):084101. doi: 10.1063/5.0004706.

DOI:10.1063/5.0004706

PMID:32872894

Abstract

Excitation frequencies in the terahertz (THz) range are expected to lead to functionally relevant domain movements within the biological macromolecules such as proteins. The possibility of examining such movements in an aqueous environment is particularly valuable since here proteins are not deprived of any motional degrees of freedom. Small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) is a powerful method to study the structure and domain movements of proteins in solution. Here, we present a microfluidic cell for SAXS experiments, which is also transparent for THz radiation. Specifically, cell dimensions and material were optimized for both radiation sources. In addition, the polystyrene cell can be 3D printed and easily assembled. We demonstrate the practicality of our design for SAXS measurements on several proteins in solution.

摘要

太赫兹（THz）范围内的激发频率有望引发生物大分子（如蛋白质）内与功能相关的结构域运动。在水性环境中检测此类运动的可能性尤为重要，因为在此环境中蛋白质不会丧失任何运动自由度。小角X射线散射（SAXS）是研究溶液中蛋白质结构和结构域运动的有力方法。在此，我们展示了一种用于SAXS实验的微流控池，它对THz辐射也是透明的。具体而言，针对两种辐射源对池的尺寸和材料进行了优化。此外，聚苯乙烯池可以通过3D打印并轻松组装。我们证明了我们的设计对于溶液中几种蛋白质的SAXS测量的实用性。