ii Image Processing for the Structural Analysis of Respiratory Syncytial Virus by Cryo- Electron Tomography Pubblico
Williams, Grant Martin (2012)
Abstract
iv
Abstract
Image Processing for the Structural Analysis of Respiratory
Syncytial Virus
Electron Tomography
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a member of the
Paramyxoviridae family of viruses.
RSV contains a single-stranded, negative sense RNA genome, which is
encapsidated by
the viral nucleocapsid, phosphoprotein, and RNA-dependent RNA
polymerase. The four
macromolecules combined form the helical ribonucleoprotein (RNP)
complex. It is the
RNP that must be transferred from an infected cell to a new cell in
order for the infection
process to continue.
In this study, cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) was used to
characterize the three-
dimensional (3D) structure of purified RSV virions. The RNP was
resolved as hollow
tubes with helical spokes of an approximately 9nm width in X-Y
cross-sections. A
module, TubeTracker, was developed for the Amira software programs
in order to
objectively map the trajectory of RNP through the 3D volumes of the
RSV virions.
Several denoising algorithms were generated to improve the signal
to noise ratio of the
3D data to increase the likelihood of accurate feature
tracking.
Model toroids representing hollow tubular trajectories were first
developed to assess the
functionality of TubeTracker under each of its programmed
conditions. The model
toroids were tracked successfully under both the ideal noise-free
situation as well as with
the addition of increasing amounts of white, speckle noise to the
model toroid volumes.
During the application of TubeTracker to the RSV tomograms, the
program performed
for several iterations, then trajectory tracking was prone to
error. The failure of the
TubeTracker to function with the cryo-ET data of RSV was possibly
due to poor feature
cross-correlation due to missing-wedge effects, angular search
range and increments, or
limited voxel intensity ranges.
v
Image Processing for the Structural Analysis of Respiratory
Syncytial Virus
Electron Tomography
B.S., Georgia Institute of Technology, 2005
Advisor: Elizabeth Wright, Doctor of Philosophy
A thesis submitted to the Faculty of the
James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies of Emory University
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Science
in
Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Science
Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
2012
Table of Contents
vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Distribution Agreement
i
Approval Form
ii
Abstract Cover Page
iii
Abstract
iv
Thesis Cover Page
v
Acknowledgements
vi
List of Figures
viii
List of Abbreviations
ix
List of Tables
x
CHAPTER I - INTRODUCTION
1
CHAPTER II - MATERIALS AND METHODS
14
CHAPTER III - RESULTS
18
CHAPTER IV - DISCUSSION
40
REFERENCES
45
About this Master's Thesis
School | |
---|---|
Department | |
Subfield / Discipline | |
Degree | |
Submission | |
Language |
|
Research Field | |
Parola chiave | |
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor | |
Committee Members |
Primary PDF
Thumbnail | Title | Date Uploaded | Actions |
---|---|---|---|
ii Image Processing for the Structural Analysis of Respiratory Syncytial Virus by Cryo- Electron Tomography () | 2018-08-28 10:16:11 -0400 |
|
Supplemental Files
Thumbnail | Title | Date Uploaded | Actions |
---|