Versatile controlling system for cryopreparation techniques in electron microscopy
โ Scribed by Humbel, Bruno M. ;Weber, Klaus ;Merkl, Rainer
- Publisher
- Wiley (John Wiley & Sons)
- Year
- 1991
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 617 KB
- Volume
- 17
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0741-0581
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โฆ Synopsis
A new setup for freeze-substitution and a versatile controlling system has been developed. Our goal was to build a simple system allowing precise control of the physical parameters of freeze-substitution experiments to learn more about their influences on the cellular ultrastructure and immunoreactivity of macromolecules. An improved apparatus for freeze-substitution, based on liquid nitrogen cooling, and a universal software for controlling the complex preparation protocols from cryofixation to final polymerization are described. This controlling system has the following advantages: it allows precise control and registration of temperature profiles, reconstruction of each individual step of previous experiments, and optimization of working conditions. The setup of the freeze-substitution apparatus is designed to run many different substitution media in parallel; freeze-substitution (cryostat), embedding (working platform), and polymerization are carried out at separate places; therefore, more experiments can be done simultaneously. The ergonomic working platform allows exchange of media a t controlled temperature and easy handling; survey of the temperature in individual tubes is possible, and the system is protected from water condensation and uncontrolled warming by the deep freezer.
๐ SIMILAR VOLUMES
Thin film specimen preparation from bulk material a t a controlled depth below the surface and cross-section thin film preparation for transmission electron microscope investigations of electrically conducting materials are described. Both techniques are illustrated by austenitic stainless steel, wh