Spectroscopy of Cell Structure at Cryogenic Temperatures

Spectroscopic methods applied to intact cell structures would provide a powerful means fordirectly analyzing the chemistry of living organisms. Surface techniques, like Auger ElectronSpectroscopy, are ideally suited to the study of microscopic structures. Intact structures can beobserved in frozen samples but the ability to maintain a sample in a frozen state in a surface systemvacuum chamber does not now exist. The application of existing vibration-free cryogenic refrigerationtechnology offers a solution to this problem while keeping operating costs to a minimum. This projectwould demonstrate the feasibility of applying refrigeration to the study of biological materials usingsurface techniques. By designing and installing a prototype system in a spectrometer and analyzingfrozen samples, a straight-forward demonstration of this capability is possible. Sufficient dat a wouldbe obtained to determine the viability of the hybrid technology. These methods could be used to directlystudy cell chemistry in the presence of chemicals such as toxins and medications to determine theimmediate cellular effects of exposure. New information on abnormal cell chemistry could be obtaineddirectly without the need for inference from currently used indirect methods.