Contrast enhancement of biological nanoporous materials with zinc oxide infiltration for electron and X-ray nanoscale microscopy.

ABSTRACT: We show that using infiltration of ZnO metal oxide can be useful for high resolution imaging of biological samples in electron and X-ray microscopy. The method is compatible with standard fixation techniques that leave the sample dry, such as finishing with super critical CO₂ drying, or simple vacuum drying up to 95 °C. We demonstrate this technique can be applied on tooth and brain tissue samples. We also show that high resolution X-ray tomography can be performed on biological systems using Zn K edge (1s) absorption to enhance internal structures, and obtained the first nanoscale 10 KeV X-ray absorption images of the interior regions of a tooth.

SUBMITTER: Ocola LE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5517423 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature