Automated vitrification of cryo-EM samples with controllable sample thickness using suction and real-time optical inspection

Roman I. Koning (), Hildo Vader, Martijn Nugteren, Peter A. Grocutt, Wen Yang, Ludovic L. R. Renault, Abraham J. Koster, Arnold C. F. Kamp and Michael Schwertner
Additional contact information
Roman I. Koning: Leiden University Medical Center
Hildo Vader: Linkam Scientific Instruments Ltd
Martijn Nugteren: Linkam Scientific Instruments Ltd
Peter A. Grocutt: Linkam Scientific Instruments Ltd
Wen Yang: Leiden University
Ludovic L. R. Renault: Leiden University
Abraham J. Koster: Leiden University Medical Center
Arnold C. F. Kamp: Linkam Scientific Instruments Ltd
Michael Schwertner: Linkam Scientific Instruments Ltd

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract The speed and efficiency of data collection and image processing in cryo-electron microscopy have increased over the last decade. However, cryo specimen preparation techniques have lagged and faster, more reproducible specimen preparation devices are needed. Here, we present a vitrification device with highly automated sample handling, requiring only limited user interaction. Moreover, the device allows inspection of thin films using light microscopy, since the excess liquid is removed through suction by tubes, not blotting paper. In combination with dew-point control, this enables thin film preparation in a controlled and reproducible manner. The advantage is that the quality of the prepared cryo specimen is characterized before electron microscopy data acquisition. The practicality and performance of the device are illustrated with experimental results obtained by vitrification of protein suspensions, lipid vesicles, bacterial and human cells, followed by imaged using single particle analysis, cryo-electron tomography, and cryo correlated light and electron microscopy.

Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-30562-7 Abstract (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-30562-7

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
https://www.nature.com/ncomms/

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30562-7

Access Statistics for this article

Nature Communications is currently edited by Nathalie Le Bot, Enda Bergin and Fiona Gillespie

More articles in Nature Communications from Nature
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().