Bubblegram imaging

Bubblegram imagining is a technological device developed in 2012 by Dr. Alasdair Steven from NIAMS Laboratory of Structural Biology Research, in collaboration with Dr. Lindsay Black at the University of Maryland Medical School. Where the device or technique is used in research and medical fields in order to identify protein structures of viruses and bacteria. A three-dimensional computer reconstruction (computer animation, graphics, and virtual reality to capture such images) is also used to reconstruct the initial images of the specimens before they are destroyed.

High exposure of X-ray crystallography, (beams of X-rays being aimed into different directions of the proteins/bacteria structure), radiation is utilized to see the structures of the bacteria. The structures are very sensitive to the radiation that destroys the virus or bacteria being analyzed. You need 3D computer reconstruction to capture the images of the layouts before they are damaged. Bubblegram imaging made it possible to identify several molecular cells, nucleic acids, and more, by incorporating these two main components into one technique. It has helped further the understanding of how molecular structures interact with viruses to advance medicinal practices. It is important to see or identify certain viruses with bubblegram imaging in order to create vaccines or treatments for patients.

Evolution
Bubblegram imaging is a recent technique created to view the surfaces of specimens. The prior method used was Cryo-EM, and it also served the same purpose to identify the structures of bacteria, viruses, and proteins. Cryo-EM had some defects that couldn't fully capture the internal structures as the structures were damaged with radiation before any images could be captured. So, this is where bubblegram imaging comes into the picture.

Cryo-electron Microscopy (cryo-EM)
Cryo-electron Microscopy (cryo-EM) is the initial technique that allowed scientists to image particles and structures on the surface of viruses. An electron microscope is utilized so electrons illuminate the viruses or bacteria observed. The light is manipulated at different angles and this creates multiple images of the bacterial structure. Radiation is emitted by the electrons since they are being shot at high speeds. However, this radiation damages the original structures. So, the researchers had to find alternatives to where they could capture moments before the structures were denigrated.

How Bubblegram Imaging was created
Bubblegram imaging replaced the cryo-EM in January 2012 as it displayed exact representations of the structures and cellular complexes. The researchers found that high radiation exposure made the internal structures of the specimens look like bubbles clumped up together. So, they named this technique after a bubblegram. A bubblegram is a block of glass or transparent plastic that has special engravings inside, that when you shift the block around you can see all the angles and details of whatever image has been printed. The computer images help the researchers recognize, and see 3 dimensional angles of the assembly of the objects, which is another characteristic similar to a bubblegram.

Three-dimensional computer reconstruction
Three-dimensional computer reconstruction is when a specimen, item, or object is observed under a designated computer and then recreated with virtual technology on the computer. In this process, you try to reconstruct the actual object observed with the use of 2D images, or previous photographs of the item. Due to the X-ray crystallography, the structures are exposed to radiation so the computer is able to manipulate the image of the protein structures to see its surface seconds before it was exposed to the X-rays. The computer is able to produce images that highlight different parts of the surface in different colors or shades so that it is easier for the researchers to identify the internal assembly. It provides accurate angles of the 2D image by using advanced points of view, lighting, and technological components. The computer has camera calibration which includes intrinsic and extrinsic parameters making it possible to extract all of the certain features within the structure.


 * Intrinsic parameter- the internal properties of the camera like how it focuses on different lengths, optics, and overall image quality
 * Extrinsic parameters-is how the camera interacts with its surroundings and correlates with the world's 3D points

X-ray crystallography
X-ray crystallography is one of the essential components in bubblegram imaging as it is the process of how X-ray radiation is used to identify structures and surfaces of specimens. The electromagnetic radiation emitted is from the charged electrons being controlled to reveal the patterns formed by the protein.

X-ray crystallography is a tool that is able to identify the structure of a crystal at the molecular and atomic levels; by using electromagnetic radiation, in specific X-ray beams. Within the process of X-ray crystallography clouds of electrons form, and these clouds have the equivalent wavelength of X-ray radiation. This is why the light scattered by the electrons is called "diffraction". Electron diffraction, are patterns formed from the electron beams that help locate the atoms in the crystal structure. Electron beams are streams of electricity-charged electrons that are being deflected, charged at and collide with each other to create the patterns needed. electrons that play a huge role in resulting the (further explain diffraction) After determining the atoms they can then analyze the density of the electrons to map the protein structure with the Fourier transformation calculation. The Fourier transformation is the calculation that must be used as it calculates the frequencies present in the structure with the Fourier transformation calculation. The Fourier transformation is the calculation that must be used as it calculates the frequencies present in the function or experiment. These calculations are usually done with computers since their software can be programmed to find the solution.

A lot of steps go into successfully viewing molecular level layouts which is why the bubblegram imaging technique is so useful because it uses x-ray crystallography along with 3D computer reconstruction to produce accurate images that will continue improving the research and medicinal fields.