NIH scientists identify novel approach to view viruses

Researchers at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), part of the National Institutes of Health, have developed a new way to see structures within viruses that were not clearly seen before. Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is a technique that allows scientists to image very small particles, like structures on the surface of viruses. But, scientists have been unable to clearly visualize structures inside of viruses, because radiation is used to image them. Low doses of radiation don’t produce a good image, while higher doses destroy the virus. Researchers created a new technique of superimposing the low and high radiation images, using three-dimensional computer reconstruction. As a result, they were able to clearly visualize the viral structure. The investigators call this technique bubblegram imaging.