combination of confocal fluorescence

Using a combination of confocal fluorescence microscopy and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-

EM) — flash freezing samples and bombarding them with electrons to allow researchers to
obtain 3D images of small molecules How it works — Scientists looked at viral proteins and the
RNA of TNT that bypassed cells. TNT also contained double-membrane vesicles, factories that
produce viral RNA. The researchers viewed these results as strong evidence that TNT likely
acts as a channel for viral infection, allowing the virus to bypass the blood-brain barrier and
enter the brain.

However, although this study showed how neurons could be infected, the researchers lacked
evidence that ACE2-positive cells could infect the types of epithelial cells that cross the blood-
brain barrier. They couldn't find it, said Tiwari. They also did not show directly that blood-brain
barrier cells can make TNT and transmit virus to neurons.