SCS Science Image Challenge 2012 Winners

SCS Science Image Challenge 2012 Winner
Bo Liu - Klaus Schulten Group
TCBG, Center for Biophysics and Computational Biology

Co-translational insertion of a nascent membrane protein is captured by cryo-EM and high-resolution model solved by Molecular Dynamics Flexible Fitting (PDBid: 3J01). Engineered nanodisc provides membrane environment for the protein, forming particles that can be imaged by cryo-EM.

Finalist
Woo-Hyuck Choi, Edward Chainani, Khanh T. Ngo - Scheeline Group
Department of Chemistry

Ultrasonically-levitated drops are promising microreactors for the study of homogenous chemical and biochemical kinetics. Here are 1500 frames-per-second camera images of an acid-base titration experiment performed by the collision of a 370-nanoliter droplet of 0.4 N NaOH with a 3-microliter levitated drop of 0.1 N HCl (with phenolphthalein indicator).

Finalist
Jinrui Guo - Suslick Group
Department of Chemistry

EM and TEM (inset) images are shown. Porous carbon-embedded gold nanoparticles for catalysis were synthesized by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. The porous carbon support protects the gold nanoparticles from agglomeration and facilitates the diffusion of reactants. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate and chloroauric acid were used as precursors for carbon and gold, respectively.

Finalist
Eric M. Johnson-Chavarria - Schroeder Group
Chemical and Biolmolecular Engineering

Single cell trapping and analysis of Escherichia coli in free solution using our novel hydrodynamic trap. Trapping (bottom panel ~5μm radius) occurs in phase contrast (left panel) and we observe fluorescence (right panel) induced by on-demand nutrient exchange.

Finalist
Johan Strumpfer - Klaus Schulten Group
TCBG, Center for Biophysics and Computational Biology

Shown is the poliovirus capsid (proteins in orange/brown with surface in blue) with RNA (red) and magnesium (green) inside the capsid.