Spotiton: a prototype for an integrated inkjet dispense and vitrification system for cryo-TEM.

ABSTRACT: Over the last three decades, Cryo-TEM has developed into a powerful technique for high-resolution imaging of biological macromolecules in their native vitrified state. However, the method for vitrifying specimens onto EM grids is essentially unchanged - application of ∼3 μL sample to a grid, followed by blotting and rapid plunge freezing into liquid ethane. Several trials are often required to obtain suitable thin (few hundred nanometers or less) vitrified layers amenable for cryo-TEM imaging, which results in waste of precious sample and resources. While commercially available instruments provide some level of automation to control the vitrification process in an effort to increase quality and reproducibility, obtaining satisfactory vitrified specimens remains a bottleneck in the Cryo-TEM

SUBMITTER: Jain T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3378829 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature