Naked molecules dancing in liquid become visible

One third of the diameter of a human hair is approximately the smallest size human eyes can see unaided. To distinguish tinier objects, we need microscopes. We can appreciate cells and bacteria with optical microscopes, while viruses and molecules are visible only under an electron microscope. In the latter, images are formed by electrons shot onto a sample. As electrons have a much shorter wavelength compared to light, electron microscopy provides a much higher magnification than optical microscopy. However, the electron beam destroys the sample and if water is present, it tends to decompose into bubbles. Therefore, electron microscopy is suitable for visualizing inert, dead samples, while living material is chemically locked in place.

IBS scientists broke this rule and visualized non-fixed chains of atoms, called polymers, swimming in a liquid inside graphene pockets. These consist of 3-5 graphene layers on the bottom and two on top. The sheets are impermeable to small molecules, and also prevent the electron beam from instantly harming the sample: the scientists had an average of 100 seconds to admire the dynamic movement of individual polymer molecules, before these were destroyed by the electron beam. During these valuable seconds, molecules change position, rearrange or "jump around." "It was amazing to watch these flexible organic macromolecules dancing around," says Hima Nagamanasa, first co-author of the paper. "Molecules move much more quickly in bulk. We were surprised to see that they are moving more slowly here. We believe that attachment to the surface of the pocket worked in our favor to slow them down, without that we would probably see just a blurred image."

Previously, scientists needed to stain samples with metal or dye molecules to make them visible inside the graphene pocket. Metal has high reflexibility, meaning it can shine, so it can be used to get good images. However, the chemical bonds between the sample and the metal or dye changes the characteristics of the sample molecule. In this study, the graphene pocket is thin enough that its content can be observed in real time without any staining.

In particular, the scientists worked with two polymers: one with sulfur, polystyrene sulfonate, and one without, polyethylene oxide. This allowed them to show that the contrast under the microscope comes from the polymer structure -- made of carbon and hydrogen atoms -- rather than from the sulfur. "Most molecules produced by living organisms have a backbone made of carbon and hydrogen, and that's why we hope to extend this research to the study of interactions between DNA and proteins," explains the first co-author Huan Wang. Moreover, since the scientists used a standard electron microscope, they expect that this technique will be used in other laboratories.