Dynamic motions and architectural changes in DNA supramolecular aggregates visualized via transmission electron microscopy without liquid cells

Abstract

In the last decade, breakthroughs in liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have enabled in situ visualization of the motion dynamics of nanostructures in liquid media with unprecedented detail. However, it remains a significant challenge to perform liquid-phase TEM due to the intricate preparation procedure of liquid cells to keep liquid from evaporating under ultrahigh vacuum conditions in TEM columns. In the present study, the nonvolatility and remarkable solvation property of ionic liquids (ILs) is exploited to image the dynamic processes of DNA supramolecular aggregates and Au nanoparticle (NP) aggregates encompassing Brownian motions, interactions among individual nanoobjects and changes in architecture at nanometer resolution. Significant differences in motion behaviors are observed between DNA supramolecular aggregates and Au NP aggregates. Moreover, the temperature and dose dependence of dynamic motions are also investigated. The findings provide insights into the dynamics of DNA supramolecular aggregates and Au NP aggregates in ILs and present an easily accessible approach for probing the dynamic processes of biomacromolecular and other soft matter aggregates with various kinds of ILs at the nanoscale level.