Bearing the context in mind: A cryo FIB-SEM based CLEM workflow to investigate relationships between molecular interactions and ultrastructure
Lead Research Organisation:
Science and Technology Facilities Council
Department Name: Central Laser Facility (CLF)
Abstract
One of the central goals of 21st century biologists is to provide a seamless link of structural understanding between the macroscopic level of tissue organization to the molecular and even atomic level organization of the building blocks of cells and tissues. Understanding across all these length scales often requires the use of more than one microscopy method. One approach being used is known as "Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy" (CLEM), in which light microscopy is used to image specific molecules labelled with fluorescent markers, and these images combined with images from electron microscopes that can picture the overall cellular structure with very high resolution.
CLEM has been limited because the resolution of conventional optical microscopy is much lower than the resolution of electron microscopes, so that the light microscope images have only really been used to identify areas of interest. However, in recent years the development of so-called "super-resolution" light microscopy has brought the technique much closer in resolution to that of the electron microscope. Combining super-resolution light microscopy with electron microscopy would therefore provide significantly better correlation, but one limitation is an incompatibility of sample preparation methods, particularly when samples are preserved for electron microscopy by freezing, a process that helps to keep the sample structure close to the natural state but degrades the resolution that can be obtained with light microscopy.
Through this grant we propose to develop a methodology for CLEM of frozen samples combining super-resolution optical and electron microscopy. To do this we will purchase a cryogenic Focussed Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscope (FIB-SEM) that will allow us to prepare very thin samples suitable for both super-resolution and electron microscopy. The CLEM method will be used to investigate a number of problems of biological relevance.
High resolution correlative imaging is critical to understand basic cell biology. We have formed an interdisciplinary partnership that seeks to exploit this CLEM methodology, and test it in a range of relevant samples within a multidisciplinary environment. After commissioning the microscope, our experience will help other scientists and collaborators to apply this method to answer their scientific questions. An ongoing collaboration between UK facilities for light imaging and electron microscopy at the Harwell Campus and the Francis Crick Institute, where significant experience in CLEM resides, will underpin efforts in the UK to use cryo-CLEM to make fundamental discoveries in the next decade.
CLEM has been limited because the resolution of conventional optical microscopy is much lower than the resolution of electron microscopes, so that the light microscope images have only really been used to identify areas of interest. However, in recent years the development of so-called "super-resolution" light microscopy has brought the technique much closer in resolution to that of the electron microscope. Combining super-resolution light microscopy with electron microscopy would therefore provide significantly better correlation, but one limitation is an incompatibility of sample preparation methods, particularly when samples are preserved for electron microscopy by freezing, a process that helps to keep the sample structure close to the natural state but degrades the resolution that can be obtained with light microscopy.
Through this grant we propose to develop a methodology for CLEM of frozen samples combining super-resolution optical and electron microscopy. To do this we will purchase a cryogenic Focussed Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscope (FIB-SEM) that will allow us to prepare very thin samples suitable for both super-resolution and electron microscopy. The CLEM method will be used to investigate a number of problems of biological relevance.
High resolution correlative imaging is critical to understand basic cell biology. We have formed an interdisciplinary partnership that seeks to exploit this CLEM methodology, and test it in a range of relevant samples within a multidisciplinary environment. After commissioning the microscope, our experience will help other scientists and collaborators to apply this method to answer their scientific questions. An ongoing collaboration between UK facilities for light imaging and electron microscopy at the Harwell Campus and the Francis Crick Institute, where significant experience in CLEM resides, will underpin efforts in the UK to use cryo-CLEM to make fundamental discoveries in the next decade.
Technical Summary
Correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) allows the combination of optical microscopy images, which give molecular specificity through labelling with fluorescent probes, and electron microscopy, which provides high resolution ultrastructure. Ideally, CLEM would use super-resolution optical microscopy methods to bridge the resolution gap between light and electron imaging. We propose to develop a workflow for cryo-CLEM combining EM with STORM fluorescence microscopy on cryogenically vitrified samples.
We will purchase a cryo-focused ion beam (FIB)-scanning electron microscope (SEM) to prepare thin (100-300 nm) lamellas of frozen biological samples, suitable for imaging by cryo-electron microscopy (EM) and cryo-STORM. We will use two approaches to cyro-CLEM. Firstly, we will use a conventional cryo-STORM microscope capable of achieving resolutions in the region of 50 nm and correlate the data with cryo-electron microscopy. An ongoing collaboration with the Francis Crick Institute will underpin these efforts. Secondly, on the highest quality lamella (roughness <20 nm) we will also use Solid Immersion Lens (SIL) technology developed at our facility for cryo-STORM at high resolution (12 nm resolution already achieved). This method uses special lenses to couple the objective lens to the sample, achieving high numerical aperture and therefore high resolution using air objectives suitable for imaging under cryogenic conditions. Images obtained using these methods will also be correlated with cryo-EM images. Lamella milling strategies will be devised in collaboration with eBIC and Zeiss.
We will also use the cryo-FIB/SEM to implement at the RCaH 3D volume imaging. We are installing in the light sheet microscope an existing cryo-stage compatible with its epi-fluorescence imaging scheme we will aim at using to help to identify specific tissue types. Our ongoing collaboration with Lucy Collinson (Crick) will be crucial to the success of this part of the project.
We will purchase a cryo-focused ion beam (FIB)-scanning electron microscope (SEM) to prepare thin (100-300 nm) lamellas of frozen biological samples, suitable for imaging by cryo-electron microscopy (EM) and cryo-STORM. We will use two approaches to cyro-CLEM. Firstly, we will use a conventional cryo-STORM microscope capable of achieving resolutions in the region of 50 nm and correlate the data with cryo-electron microscopy. An ongoing collaboration with the Francis Crick Institute will underpin these efforts. Secondly, on the highest quality lamella (roughness <20 nm) we will also use Solid Immersion Lens (SIL) technology developed at our facility for cryo-STORM at high resolution (12 nm resolution already achieved). This method uses special lenses to couple the objective lens to the sample, achieving high numerical aperture and therefore high resolution using air objectives suitable for imaging under cryogenic conditions. Images obtained using these methods will also be correlated with cryo-EM images. Lamella milling strategies will be devised in collaboration with eBIC and Zeiss.
We will also use the cryo-FIB/SEM to implement at the RCaH 3D volume imaging. We are installing in the light sheet microscope an existing cryo-stage compatible with its epi-fluorescence imaging scheme we will aim at using to help to identify specific tissue types. Our ongoing collaboration with Lucy Collinson (Crick) will be crucial to the success of this part of the project.
Planned Impact
The immediate beneficiaries of the partnership will be the academic user community of the new imaging capability. Collaborative programmes are outlined in this proposal, and in the long term, as access to the cryo-CLEM workflow becomes available through open access peer-review, we expect many beneficiaries in the academic community. These academics will be largely from the life-sciences research community, although other disciplines (e.g. biomedical materials research) will also benefit from the availability of a cluster of super-resolution imaging facilities. Users of the microscope will be trained in the use of the cryo-CLEM technique, and this expertise will be transferred to their home institutions, expanding the UK's base of experts in new imaging technologies. Ultimately, there will be societal benefits in the form of new medical treatments and diagnostic techniques, the collaborative nature of the Research Complex and Harwell Oxford campus speeding up the process of translating research findings into medical benefits.
The research that will be enabled by the availability of cryo-CLEM is expected to benefit other commercial sectors, such as pharmaceuticals and medical diagnostics. The applicants have a track record of working with these sectors (e.g. MMF's current and previous collaborations with Evotec, Illumina, and Astra Zeneca). There is a growing industrial user community on OCTOPUS and industrial users are expected to take advantage of the cryo-CLEM capability. There are a number of routes for industrial access to the facility, ranging from collaboration with academics for non-proprietary research, to fully paid commercial access. The facility also operates a number of schemes to assist industrial access, including the "B4I" and "A4I" programmes, providing proof-of-concept and longer term access, respectively, for industries to collaborate with the facility through supported access to equipment and expertise.
STFC provides a high level of support for identification and support of commercial opportunities, and this will be drawn upon to ensure maximum economic impact is derived from the work of the partnership. We have already established a collaboration with Zeiss, and it is expected that the proposed programme of work will ultimately lead to the development of a super-resolution cryo-CLEM microscope combining optical and electron imaging in the same instrument.
Finally, the research outputs will be of significant public interest because of the healthcare connections, and the high visual impact of microscopy work. There is already an extensive public engagement programme operated by STFC and RCaH, with regular organised visits from members of the public, schools, and undergraduates. The microscopy suite is a regular feature on these visits, and the new system will be seen and demonstrated. We actively encourage the dissemination of research outputs through additional routes to the "conventional" scientific literature, and regular press releases are issued when potentially high impact findings are published.
The research that will be enabled by the availability of cryo-CLEM is expected to benefit other commercial sectors, such as pharmaceuticals and medical diagnostics. The applicants have a track record of working with these sectors (e.g. MMF's current and previous collaborations with Evotec, Illumina, and Astra Zeneca). There is a growing industrial user community on OCTOPUS and industrial users are expected to take advantage of the cryo-CLEM capability. There are a number of routes for industrial access to the facility, ranging from collaboration with academics for non-proprietary research, to fully paid commercial access. The facility also operates a number of schemes to assist industrial access, including the "B4I" and "A4I" programmes, providing proof-of-concept and longer term access, respectively, for industries to collaborate with the facility through supported access to equipment and expertise.
STFC provides a high level of support for identification and support of commercial opportunities, and this will be drawn upon to ensure maximum economic impact is derived from the work of the partnership. We have already established a collaboration with Zeiss, and it is expected that the proposed programme of work will ultimately lead to the development of a super-resolution cryo-CLEM microscope combining optical and electron imaging in the same instrument.
Finally, the research outputs will be of significant public interest because of the healthcare connections, and the high visual impact of microscopy work. There is already an extensive public engagement programme operated by STFC and RCaH, with regular organised visits from members of the public, schools, and undergraduates. The microscopy suite is a regular feature on these visits, and the new system will be seen and demonstrated. We actively encourage the dissemination of research outputs through additional routes to the "conventional" scientific literature, and regular press releases are issued when potentially high impact findings are published.
Organisations
- Science and Technology Facilities Council (Lead Research Organisation)
- Francis Crick Institute (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD (Collaboration)
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute (Collaboration)
- Yale University (Collaboration)
- DIAMOND LIGHT SOURCE (Collaboration)
- Rosalind Franklin Institute (Collaboration)
Publications
Bateman BC
(2019)
Super-resolution Microscopy at Cryogenic Temperatures Using Solid Immersion Lenses.
in Bio-protocol
Mendonça L
(2020)
SARS-CoV-2 Assembly and Egress Pathway Revealed by Correlative Multi-Modal Multi-Scale Cryo-Imaging
in SSRN Electronic Journal
Zhu Y
(2021)
Serial cryoFIB/SEM Reveals Cytoarchitectural Disruptions in Leigh Syndrome Patient Cells.
in Structure (London, England : 1993)
Mendonça L
(2021)
Correlative multi-scale cryo-imaging unveils SARS-CoV-2 assembly and egress.
in Nature communications
Martin-Fernandez ML
(2021)
A brief history of the octopus imaging facility to celebrate its 10th anniversary.
in Journal of microscopy
Zhu Y
(2022)
Structure and activity of particulate methane monooxygenase arrays in methanotrophs.
in Nature communications
Martin-Fernandez ML
(2023)
A perspective of fluorescence microscopy for cellular structural biology with EGFR as witness.
in Journal of microscopy
Description | The microscope is already showing its potential as part of a multi-microscopy technique approach to understanding critical problems in life sciences research. The award has strengthened and expanded an existing collaborative network for the development of correlative microscopy at the Harwell campus and beyond. There has been some impact from the COVID-19 pandemic in that access to the laboratory has been restricted and normal facility operations reduced and, at times, suspended. However, a positive was that we were able to use the microscope for COVID-related research. |
Exploitation Route | The microscope is part of the "Octopus" microscopy cluster operated by the Central Laser Facility in the Research Complex at Harwell. As such it is available to researchers through an open peer-reviewed access process, and will therefore benefit many areas of research. It forms part of a correlative microscopy workflow and is expected to be useful to users of other imaging facilities on the campus, in particular eBIC at Diamond Light Source. This has already occurred in the form of a correlative microscopy project with eBIC on COVID-19. |
Sectors | Environment Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Title | Development of correlative Cryo FIB-SEM/TEM |
Description | As part of our collaboration with eBIC, we have developed correlative techniques using FIB-SEM and TEM under cryogenic conditions. These have been applied in studies of the entry of COVID-19 into cells. Further developments and applications are underway. |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | A publication has been prepared and is under review. |
Description | Collaboration on correlative microscopy development |
Organisation | Diamond Light Source |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Development of advanced optical microscopy methods including super-resolution imaging under cryogenic conditions. |
Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in electron microscopy, x-ray microscopy, and 3D super-resolution microscopy. |
Impact | A cryo super-resolution microscope is now operating for users in the Central Laser Facility (Research Complex at Harwell). This is a multi-disciplinary partnership combining physics (microscopy), engineering (sample stages etc.), biology (sample preparation), and chemistry (labelling). The addition of a FIB-SEM through a BBSRC award has enhanced this collaboration. Although access has been limited due to COVID-19, the microscope was used for a correlative EM project on COVID, in collaboration with eBIC as part of the wider correlative initiative. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Collaboration on correlative microscopy development |
Organisation | Francis Crick Institute |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Development of advanced optical microscopy methods including super-resolution imaging under cryogenic conditions. |
Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in electron microscopy, x-ray microscopy, and 3D super-resolution microscopy. |
Impact | A cryo super-resolution microscope is now operating for users in the Central Laser Facility (Research Complex at Harwell). This is a multi-disciplinary partnership combining physics (microscopy), engineering (sample stages etc.), biology (sample preparation), and chemistry (labelling). The addition of a FIB-SEM through a BBSRC award has enhanced this collaboration. Although access has been limited due to COVID-19, the microscope was used for a correlative EM project on COVID, in collaboration with eBIC as part of the wider correlative initiative. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Collaboration on correlative microscopy development |
Organisation | Howard Hughes Medical Institute |
Department | Janelia Research Campus |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Development of advanced optical microscopy methods including super-resolution imaging under cryogenic conditions. |
Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in electron microscopy, x-ray microscopy, and 3D super-resolution microscopy. |
Impact | A cryo super-resolution microscope is now operating for users in the Central Laser Facility (Research Complex at Harwell). This is a multi-disciplinary partnership combining physics (microscopy), engineering (sample stages etc.), biology (sample preparation), and chemistry (labelling). The addition of a FIB-SEM through a BBSRC award has enhanced this collaboration. Although access has been limited due to COVID-19, the microscope was used for a correlative EM project on COVID, in collaboration with eBIC as part of the wider correlative initiative. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Collaboration on correlative microscopy development |
Organisation | Rosalind Franklin Institute |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Development of advanced optical microscopy methods including super-resolution imaging under cryogenic conditions. |
Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in electron microscopy, x-ray microscopy, and 3D super-resolution microscopy. |
Impact | A cryo super-resolution microscope is now operating for users in the Central Laser Facility (Research Complex at Harwell). This is a multi-disciplinary partnership combining physics (microscopy), engineering (sample stages etc.), biology (sample preparation), and chemistry (labelling). The addition of a FIB-SEM through a BBSRC award has enhanced this collaboration. Although access has been limited due to COVID-19, the microscope was used for a correlative EM project on COVID, in collaboration with eBIC as part of the wider correlative initiative. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Collaboration on correlative microscopy development |
Organisation | University of Oxford |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Development of advanced optical microscopy methods including super-resolution imaging under cryogenic conditions. |
Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in electron microscopy, x-ray microscopy, and 3D super-resolution microscopy. |
Impact | A cryo super-resolution microscope is now operating for users in the Central Laser Facility (Research Complex at Harwell). This is a multi-disciplinary partnership combining physics (microscopy), engineering (sample stages etc.), biology (sample preparation), and chemistry (labelling). The addition of a FIB-SEM through a BBSRC award has enhanced this collaboration. Although access has been limited due to COVID-19, the microscope was used for a correlative EM project on COVID, in collaboration with eBIC as part of the wider correlative initiative. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Collaboration on correlative microscopy development |
Organisation | Yale University |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Development of advanced optical microscopy methods including super-resolution imaging under cryogenic conditions. |
Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in electron microscopy, x-ray microscopy, and 3D super-resolution microscopy. |
Impact | A cryo super-resolution microscope is now operating for users in the Central Laser Facility (Research Complex at Harwell). This is a multi-disciplinary partnership combining physics (microscopy), engineering (sample stages etc.), biology (sample preparation), and chemistry (labelling). The addition of a FIB-SEM through a BBSRC award has enhanced this collaboration. Although access has been limited due to COVID-19, the microscope was used for a correlative EM project on COVID, in collaboration with eBIC as part of the wider correlative initiative. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Multiple school visits to Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and the Research Complex at Harwell |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Discussion with visitors about my research area and optical imaging in general. Ongoing interest from schools in sending further pupils to the lab. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018,2019,2021,2022 |
Description | Press releases describing aspects of my work |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Press releases attracted attention from regional and national media. Requests for additional information received from a number of interested parties. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012,2013,2014 |