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Controlling protein adsorption on graphene for cryo-EM using low-energy hydrogen plasmas

2014; Nature Portfolio; Volume: 11; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1038/nmeth.2931

1548-7105

Christopher J. Russo, Lori A. Passmore,

Nanopore and Nanochannel Transport Studies

Graphene is in many ways an ideal sample support for cryo-electron microscopy, but its hydrophobicity prevents adsorption of protein from aqueous solution. Low-energy hydrogen-plasma treatment renders graphene hydrophilic and enables controlled adsorption of protein to its surface. Despite its many favorable properties as a sample support for biological electron microscopy, graphene is not widely used because its hydrophobicity precludes reliable protein deposition. We describe a method to modify graphene with a low-energy hydrogen plasma, which reduces hydrophobicity without degrading the graphene lattice. Use of plasma-treated graphene enables better control of protein distribution in ice for electron cryo-microscopy and improves image quality by reducing radiation-induced sample motion.