• Applied Microscopy
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2018

Cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) allows us to perform structural analysis of a analyses of large protein complexes, which are difficult to analyze using X-ray crystallography or nuclear magnetic resonance. The most common examples of proteins used are ribosomes and proteasomes. In this paper, we briefly describe the advantage of cryo-TEM and the process of two-dimensional classification by considering a human proteasome as an example.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.52
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• pp.9.1-9.5
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• 2022

The compact smooth muscle 10S myosin II is a type of a monomer with folded tail and the heads bending back to interact with each other. This inactivated form is associated with regulatory and enzymatic activities affecting myosin processivity with actin filaments as well as ATPase activity. Phosphorylation by RLC can however, shuttle myosin from the inhibited 10S state to an activated 6S state, dictating the equilibrium. Multiple studies contributed by TEM have provided insights in the structural understanding of the 10S form. However, it is only recently that the true potential of Cryo-EM in deciphering the intramolecular interactions of 10S myosin state has been realized. This has led to an influx of new revelations on the 10S inactivation, unfolding mechanism and association in various diseases. This study reviews the gradual development in the structural interpretation of 10S species from TEM to Cryo-EM era. Furthermore, we discuss the utility of Cryo-EM in future myosin 10S studies and its contribution to human health.

• Vacuum Magazine
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.18-22
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• 2017

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a versatile and powerful technique that enables direct visualization of biological samples of sizes ranging from whole cell to near-atomic resolution details of a protein molecule. Thanks to numerous technical breakthroughs and monumental discoveries, 3D electron microscopy (3DEM) has become an indispensable tool in the field of structural biology. In particular, development of cryo-electron microscopy(cryo-EM) and computational image processing played pivotal role for the determination of 3D structures of complex biological systems at sub-molecular resolution. Here, basis of TEM and 3DEM will be introduced, especially focusing on technical advancements and practical applications. Also, future prospective of constantly evolving 3DEM field will be discussed, with an anticipation of great biological discoveries that were once considered impossible.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.53-58
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• 2004

In this study, we describe the application of electron microscopes that incorporate freeze treatments or cryo systems to achieve the characterization of the microstuctures of emulsions. We confirmed that the preparations of freezing replica method and with cryo systems were useful to clarify the microstuctures of the emulsions. This methodology will be able to contribute to understanding the relation between microstuctures and rheology of emulsions.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.49-52
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• 2012

For TEM study of biological samples or polymers that are contained in organic structure, it is often required that the sample is prepared by using ultramicrotome and stained with proper agents to increase the contrast of organic structure. In this study, we investigated an efficient TEM sample preparation method for ductile heterogeneity material by using ultramicrotomy. Cryo-ultramicrotomy is a suitable method that is capable of rendering sample hardness for various ductile materials. However, it has several factors to consider, such as experimental cost, working time and finding the optimal staining conditions. To satisfy these considerations, we prepared TEM sample by using ultramicrotome without cryofunction, and secured the sample hardness by applying the staining process prior to ultrathin sectioning. The cross-linked polyethylene structure in the sample was stained with the 2% $RuO_4$ solution in a sealed test tube for 24 hours at $4^{\circ}C$. After the sample staining, ultrathin sections of sample were prepared using ultramicrotome. As a result, it was revealed that the difficulties associated with staining of ultrathin sections prepared by low-temperature conditions were improved. In addition, appropriate staining depth of sample could be selected for sectioning process. The quality of TEM sample obtained by using this method was better than that of cryo-ultramicroscopy. Finally, it is expected that our method could be effectively applied in TEM sample preparation for a variety of nano-bio convergence materials.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.275-278
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• 2008

Electron tomography (ET) is an electron microscopic technique for obtaining a 3-D image from any electron microscopy specimen and its application in biomedical science has been increased thanks to development of electron microscopy and related technologies during the last decade. There are few researches on ET in Korea during this period. Although the importance of ET has been recognized recently by many researchers, initial approach to electron tomographic research is not easy for beginners. The 4th International Congress on Electron Tomography (4 ICET) was held on Nov $5{\sim}8$, 2006, at San Diego. The program dealt instrumentation, reconstruction algorithm, visualization/quantitative analysis and electron tomographic presentation of biological specimen and nano particles. 1 have summarized oral presentations and analyzed the posters presented on the meeting. Cryo-electron microscopic system was popular system for ET and followed conventional transmission electron microscopic system. Cultured cell line and tissue were most popular specimens analyzed and microorganisms including bacteria and virus also constituted important specimens. This analysis provides a current state of art in ET research and a guide line for practical application of ET and further research strategies.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.133-145
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• 2020

This study utilized nano-liposomes for the purpose of stabilizing and increasing the solubility of biotin, a water-soluble active material with low solubility. The particle size, zeta potential, and polydispersity index were confirmed with a nano zetasizer. It was possible to manufacture nano liposomes at 100 to 250 nm of particle size and -80 to -30 mV of zeta potential. Dialysis membrane method (DMM) was used to measure the capsulation efficiency of biotin in biotin nano-liposomes, and results showed that pH increased biotin nano-liposomes had higher capsulation efficiency than normal biotin nano-liposome. Through this experiment, it was confirmed that the pH has a great influence on the stability of biotin nano-liposomes. In vitro franz diffusion cell method was used to measure in vitro skin absorption rate of biotin nano-liposomes. The shape of the formulation and biotin solubility in nano-liposome was observed by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). Through this study, we confirmed that biotin, which is introduced as closely related to hair health, can be incorporated into a nano-liposome drug delivery system, to make biotin nano-liposome with improved solubility and precipitation problems.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 2016

Micelles, which are called solubilization formulation, have been widely used in skin lotion, mist or various formulations for the purpose of solubilizing the fragrance rather than the role of the active ingredient carrier because the particles are very small. In this study, we developed the swollen micelle having a transparent appearance to deliver ${\beta}$-sitosterol. When preparing the swollen micelle, solubility parameter was considered with active ingredient. This method allowed insoluble active ingredient to be safely entrapped inside the micelles. Stability of micelle was evaluated by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The transparency and shape of the micelles were confirmed by cryo-TEM. In addition, through the thermal analysis using DSC, ${\beta}$-sitosterol was found to be stably present in the swollen micelles. These results indicate that swollen micelles considered solubility parameter could be used as a new carrier for the insoluble active ingredients.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.127-139
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• 2023

In this study, minoxidil, which is well known as a pharmaceutical raw material, and diaminopyrimidine oxide (DAO), which is a cosmetic raw material, were used as active ingredients to evaluate the physical properties of niosomes and compare the skin penetrations of artificial skin. To prepare niosomes of the size of nanoparticles, a high pressure homogenization method was used, and physical properties were evaluated with a zetasizer. The particle size of the noisome including the active ingredient was measured to be 99 to 123 nm according to HLB, and the zeta potential was measured in the range of -60 to -81 mV. Through DSC (differential scanning colorimetry), it was confirmed that minoxidil, a crystalline component, was uniformly dissolved in an amorphous state in niosomes. In order to confirm and compare skin penetration, it was measured by the in vitro Franz diffusion cell method, and the niosome formulation showed 3.4 times higher penetration for minoxidil and 11.1 times higher penetration for DAO than the control gel formulation. In addition, when comparing the skin penetration of minoxidil niosome and DAO niosome, a similar trend was shown, and the penetration amount of DAO was relatively high. The shapes of the niosome formulations with different HLB values were observed using Cryo-TEM, and it was confirmed that vesicles were formed in all of them and that they were intermediate between SUV (small unilamella vesicle) and LUV (large unilamella vesicle). Through this study, minoxidil, an effective drug for hair loss, and DAO, a cosmetic raw material, can be effectively delivered to the skin by encapsulating them in a noisome formulation.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.55.2-55.2
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• 2012

Intensive theoretical and experimental studies have been carried out at Korean Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) on controlling the bio absorbing rate of the Mg alloys with high mechanical strength through tailoring of electrochemical potential. Key technology for retarding the corrosion of the Mg alloys is to equalize the corrosion potentials of the constituent phases in the alloys, which prevented the formation of Galvanic circuit between the constituent phases resulting in remarkable reduction of corrosion rate. By thermodynamic consideration, the possible phases of a given alloy system were identified and their work functions, which are related to their corrosion potentials, were calculated by the first principle calculation. The designed alloys, of which the constituent phases have similar work function, were fabricated by clean melting and extrusion system. The newly developed Mg alloys named as KISTUI-MG showed much lower corrosion rate as well as higher strength than previously developed Mg alloys. Biocompatibility and feasibility of the Mg alloys as orthopedic implant materials were evaluated by in vitro cell viability test, in vitro degradation test of mechanical strength during bio-corrosion, in vivo implantation and continuous observation of the implant during in vivo absorbing procedures. Moreover, the cells attached on the Mg alloys was observed using cryo-FIB (focused ion beam) system without the distortion of cell morphology and its organ through the removal of drying steps essential for the preparation of normal SEM/TEM samples. Our Mg alloys showed excellent biocompatibility satisfying the regulations required for biomedical application without evident hydrogen evolution when it implanted into the muscle, inter spine disk, as well as condyle bone of rat and well contact interface with bone tissue when it was implanted into rat condyle.