Phys.org – Biotechnology

A Trillionth of a Second: How Lasers May Sharpen Next-Gen Cryo-ET Microscopy

Scientists at Columbia’s Zuckerman Institute and Cornell’s Maxson lab have linked a pulsed laser to a cryo‑electron tomography (cryo‑ET) microscope, creating a proof‑of‑concept that modulates electron phase to boost image contrast. The technique exploits laser‑induced lensing within a trillionth of a second, targeting electrons traveling at near‑light speed. Early results show markedly clearer 3‑D reconstructions of frozen biological samples, especially synaptic structures linked to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The breakthrough promises near‑atomic resolution without sacrificing sample integrity.