Abstract
Direct imaging of nanoscale objects suspended in liquid media can be accomplished using cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). Cryo-TEM has been used with particular success in microbiology and other biological fields. Samples are prepared by plunging a thin film of sample into an appropriate cryogen, which essentially produces a snapshot of the suspended objects in their liquid medium. With successful sample preparation, cryo-TEM images can facilitate elucidation of aggregation and self-assembly, as well as provide detailed information about cells and viruses. This work provides an explanation of sample preparation, detailed examples of the many artifacts found in cryo-TEM of aqueous samples, and other key considerations for successful cryo-TEM imaging.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1542-1553 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Microscopy and Microanalysis |
Volume | 19 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 1 2013 |
Keywords
- colloids
- cryo-TEM
- cryo-TEM artifacts
- cryogenic transmission electron microscopy
- electron microscopy
- nanoparticles
- sample preparation