The analysis of 3D architecture of infected cells is critical for understanding the mechanisms of viral diseases. Soft X-ray tomography (SXT) is a technology that can image whole intact cells in 3D under normal and pathological conditions.
Fluorescence and electron microscopy techniques, in particular, focused on beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) have been extensively used to image the 3D structure of cells. However, although FIB-SEM achieves superior spatial resolution, the method remains low throughput. To overcome these limitations, a whole-cell imaging technique with minimal sample preparation and rapid image acquisition is required for quantitative analysis of structural changes induced in virus-infected cells.
This paper demonstrates the potential of SXT imaging by visualizing aggregates of SARS-CoV-2 virions and virus-induced intracellular alterations. This rapid whole-cell imaging approach allows us to visualize the spatiotemporal changes of cellular organelles upon viral infection in a quantitative manner.
Using soft X-ray tomography for rapid whole-cell quantitative imaging of SARS-CoV-2-infected cells
V.Loconte, et.al, ScienceDirect, 22 November 2021