![]() – and even film them (using time-lapse microscopy). Only optical microscopes can be used to examine living elements (in cells in culture or experimental models), and therefore observe pathological phenomena in real-time – bacterial invasion of tissue, movement of metastatic cells, etc. (page in French)īut electron microscopes can only be used to observe elements set in ultra-thin sections (roughly fifty nanometers) and "fixed" with chemical elements or the cold (cryogenics). See the Lettre de l’Institut Pasteur no.98. Thanks to a confocal microscopy image and a 3D printer, he can today hold these initially-real "communicating" cells in his hands, turn them around and see them with his own eyes. We are looking into this." On the researcher's desk, close to a small collection of vintage microscopes, there is a strange white structure – three mandarin-sized spheres joined by "arms". "Time-lapse microscopy enables us to film the action of fluorescent-tagged viruses in cells in real time, and we have therefore recently been able to observe and describe the implosion of cells infected with the Zika* virus, which may be a defense mechanism used by the body to eliminate the virus. ![]() We can get an overall view – and observe infected and non-infected cells for example – then look at the finer details, right down to viral particles on a cell membrane." Olivier Schwartz's team was behind major discoveries concerning the "relationships" between the AIDS virus and its target cells (CD4 T lymphocytes, see image) and is also looking closely at emerging viruses, such as chikungunya or Zika. Today, we combine both, like Google Maps does. ![]() "Its images help to illustrate or even fuel our discoveries. To study interactions between viruses and cells in the body, I have always used different microscopy techniques and I've witnessed the incredible progress made over the last few years, whether in optical microscopy, which is perfect for observing cells, or electron microscopy, which is mainly used for seeing viruses. "The microscopic world is amazing!" exclaims Olivier Schwartz, Head of the Virus and Immunity Unit at the Institut Pasteur.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |