Electron microscopy of frozen hydrated sections of vitreous ice and vitrified biological samples

Journal of Microscopy - Tập 131 Số 1 - Trang 1-9 - 1983
Alasdair W. McDowall1, Jintao Chang2, Richard B. Freeman1, Jean Lepault1, C. A. Walter1, Jacques Dubochet1
1European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Postfach 10.2209, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 6900 Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany
2The Institute of Biophysics, Academia Sinica, Peking, China

Tóm tắt

SUMMARYThe preparation and high resolution observation of frozen hydrated thin sections has been studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM and STEM) on model systems, including pure water, protein solutions, catalase crystals, myelin sheath and various tissues. The state of the ice is determined by electron diffraction. Mass measurement in the electron microscope is used to determine section thickness and control hydration. An adequate depth of vitrified material for sectioning can be obtained from many biological suspensions or untreated tissues. Frozen hydrated sections around 100 nm thick can be produced under optimal conditions from vitreous ice or from vitrified biological samples. Sectioning, transfer and observation in the electron microscope is feasible without alteration of the sample hydration or its initial vitrification. Biological structures can be preserved and observed down to 10 nm. Under favourable working conditions, specimen compression during sectioning and electron beam damage are the factors limiting high resolution observations.

Từ khóa


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Thông tin
Thông tin xuất bản

Journal of Microscopy

Tập 131 Số 1

1-9

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