Melanie Burnet, Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana−Champaign, working under the guidance of Prof. Mary Kraft, introduces you to a new NanoSIMS-based methodology that significantly enhances the accuracy of intracellular biomolecule visualization. This methodology promises to provide unparalleled views into the complex universe of biomolecules, significantly influencing cellular biology and drug discovery.
WATCH ON DEMAND
Key learnings will include:
- Advanced Depth Correction: Learn about the groundbreaking method that corrects distortions in 3D NanoSIMS images, enabling even more precise imaging of intracellular structures.
- Accuracy in Imaging: Explore how this technique uses pixel intensities from secondary images to accurately reconstruct cell morphology, leading to improved visualization.
- Validation and Impact: Hear about the technique’s validation against AFM data, and its implications for cellular biology research.
- Research Applications: Gain insights into the enhanced visualization of cellular features, including intracellular membranes containing 15N-sphingolipids or 18O-cholesterol, as well as organelles containing 15N-labeled RNA and 13C-labeled DNA, such as the nucleus and nucleolus.
About the Speaker
Melanie A. Brunet, University of Illinois Urbana−Champaign
Melanie A. Brunet is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana−Champaign, working under the guidance of Prof. Mary Kraft. With a diverse educational background, she earned her B.S. degree in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Puerto Rico-Ponce in 2014, followed by a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez in 2019. She furthered her studies with an M.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana−Champaign. Melanie's research is focused on the development and application of SIMS imaging tools to accurately visualize the intracellular three-dimensional distributions of biomolecules, focusing on their implications in both healthy and diseased cells. Throughout her academic journey, she has been honored with fellowships, including the NIH F31 Predoctoral Fellowship, the DuPont Science and Engineering Fellowship, among others.