Able to reconstruct the system as observed in the bacteria E. coli?

Question

Does "Using electron microscopy the team were able to reconstruct the system as observed in the bacteria E. coli" mean "first, the team observed (by using electron microscopy) the system in E. coli, then the team made the system reappear under the lens of electron microscopy"?

Context:

Using electron microscopy the team were able to reconstruct the system as observed in the bacteria E. coli. They saw that the mechanism consists of two separate complexes, one in the outer membrane of the cell, and the other in the inner membrane, which are connected by a stalk-like structure that crosses the periplasm -- the space between the two membranes. The complexes at both the inner and outer membranes form pores in the membrane, via which substances can be secreted.

More:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140309150544.htm

Avangi · Accepted Answer

NL888 then the team made the system reappear under the lens of electron microscopy"?

I don't think so.

I don't believe they physically rebuilt what they had previously seen under the microscope. (They didn't build a working model.)

"To reconstruct a system" is often used to mean that the team analyzes the subject to a point at which they can explain exactly how "the system" works, and what components make it up.

That is, you can "reconstruct a crime" without actually "reenacting the crime."

NL888 · Answer

Thank you. That is informative.
What is a bit weird is that they reconstructed it with electron microscopy, not computers. Isn't the latter more convenient?

Avangi · Answer

NL888What is a bit weird is that they reconstructed it with electron microscopy, not computers. Isn't the latter more convenient?

I believe the electron microscopy is a tool used in the investigation phase.
The "reconstruction" is something which occurs gradually over time, "putting the pieces together" gradually, like putting a picture puzzle together, making mistakes at various stages and working to correct them.
The pieces of the puzzle are "put together" intellectually, not physically.

I'm not suggesting that the computer (as well as the electron microscope) is not also a useful tool in the investigation. .

Going back to the picture puzzle analogy, the reconstruction phase of the work is more than simply a "writing down" of the elements and their interrelationships. It's a "figuring out" of the whole grand scheme.

I got the feeling from your last post that you might think the "reconstruction" was just clerical work.
If that were the case, of course the computer would be a better tool for it than the microscope.

The sub-heading of the article you quote may help to explain "investigation vs reconstruction."

Spread of antibiotic resistance understood by unravelling bacterial secretion system

To "unravel" here is to deconstruct. You need to isolate the components before you can analyze their functions and interrelationships. But on the other hand, they say you can't study the motion of a spinning top by stopping it.

Are we trying to perform reverse-engineering here? I suspect your answer would be "yes."
But I disagree. In this case, that's not what is meant by "reconstructing."
Others may see it differently.

Able to reconstruct the system as observed in the bacteria E. coli?

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