Domestic Microscope Developed to Image Coronavirus

Fırat Üniversitesi researchers imaged the structure of a new type of coronavirus, 750 times smaller than a human hair, using an atomic force microscope developed by a scientist from ODTÜ.

  Based on data obtained using electron microscopy in overseas studies, it is stated that the structural image analysis of the coronavirus, modeled in the shape of a spike ball, obtained by Turkish researchers using an atomic force microscope will shed light on many scientific studies. Fırat Üniversitesi Assistant Professor Ümit Çelik: "We are working to image the coronavirus in the real biological liquid environment in which it lives. There is no example of this in the world. We believe we will succeed." ODTÜ Professor Ahmet Oral: "The analyses obtained in the ongoing study with advanced imaging stages will be used to clarify the unknowns about coronavirus in the scientific world," he stated.

Çelik noted that viruses, cells and bacteria can be imaged using different techniques such as electron and atomic force microscopes, and explained that the images obtained demonstrate different scientific values.

Explaining that staining, freezing and sectioning operations applied to increase contrast in electron microscopy, one of these techniques used to analyze viruses, damage the originality of structures, Çelik stated that these eliminate the possibility of real-time imaging and characterization of the virus in its actual living environment. Ümit Çelik said that in his master's and doctoral studies at ITU, he developed an atomic force microscope with atomic resolution and high speed that enables imaging of biomolecules, continued research in this field for 15 years, was part of the team that developed the ezAFM model atomic force microscope, and developed various techniques for imaging viruses and cells with these microscopes. Noting that this technique enables identification and examination of viral protein structures and infrastructures, Çelik also mentioned that it is possible to visualize protein arrangement of viruses with this technique. To investigate the surface nanostructures of the COVID-19 virus and observe topography and phase changes; using domestic and national resources, Çelik stated that they used an ezAFM model atomic force microscope developed by Prof. Dr. Ahmet Oral at NanoManyetik Bilimsel Cihazlar in ODTÜ Teknokent and Teknopark Ankara. "We performed imaging with the atomic force microscope in the BSL3 virology laboratory at Fırat Üniversitesi while taking all necessary safety measures. To eliminate infection risk, virus particles were inactivated and dried under ultraviolet light," he provided.

The spike ball image was obtained by freezing the sample

Çelik explained that in overseas studies, the spike ball-shaped image of the coronavirus imaged with an electron microscope was obtained by freezing the sample in vacuum, whereas in their work, the sample was dried and directly imaged after being inactivated. Stating that because of this the spike-like regular protein sequences on the virus did not appear in an orderly manner as they denatured, Çelik informed that when they complete the work on imaging the virus in the real liquid environment in which it lives, these proteins will also be visible.