Seeing Tiny Drug Particles in Water Just Got Easier
Scientists have discovered a method to improve the performance of a powerful microscope when examining tiny drug particles in water. The microscope in question is a scanning electron microscope (SEM), which typically requires a vacuum to operate but can also be used to observe objects in liquid.
Challenges with Small Drug Particles
- Adhesion Issues: Small drug particles and other organic materials do not adhere well to the microscope's viewing area.
- Damage from Beam: These particles are easily damaged by the microscope's beam.
- Poor Visibility: They do not show up clearly under the microscope.
Innovative Solutions
To address these challenges, researchers implemented several innovative techniques:
Surface Modification: They altered the surface of the viewing area to enhance the adhesion of tiny particles. This technique had previously been used with cells but not with small organic materials.
Use of Spacers: Spacers were employed to ensure a good mix of particle sizes could be observed.
Chemical Enhancement: A special chemical called gadolinium acetate was added to make the particles more visible and detailed.
Significant Achievements
- Enhanced Detail: The improved microscope could now see details as small as 10 nanometers in tiny protein particles.
- Broader Applications: The microscope is now useful for studying a wider range of organic and biological materials in water.
- Advancements in Drug Development: This breakthrough could lead to significant advances in drug development and design.
Conclusion
These improvements make the microscope a versatile tool for studying various organic and biological materials in water, paving the way for better understanding and development of drugs.