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Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy

Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy

To be visualized by an electron microscope, either transmission or scanning, biological samples need to be fixed (stabilized) so the electron beam does not destroy them and dried thoroughly (desiccated/dehydrated) so the vacuum does not affect them. Fixation needs to be done as quickly as possible because the sample properties will start changing as soon as it is removed from its natural environment. For example, in a tissue sample, the oxygen levels begin decreasing, causing an altered...

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Updated: May 7, 2026

A Microfluidic Platform for Precision Small-volume Sample Processing and Its Use to Size Separate Biological Particles with an Acoustic Microdevice

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A microfluidic device for dry sample preservation in remote settings.

Stefano Begolo¹, Feng Shen, Rustem F Ismagilov

¹Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA. rustem.admin@caltech.edu.

|September 24, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study introduces a microfluidic device for room-temperature dry preservation of biological specimens using natural self-preservation chemistries. This innovation offers a cost-effective alternative to the cold chain for remote medical analysis and biosurveillance.

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Area of Science:

Biotechnology
Microfluidics
Biomedical Engineering

Background:

Long-term stabilization of biological samples is critical for remote medical analysis, biosurveillance, and archiving.
Current methods rely on the expensive
cold chain
which is impractical for remote or resource-limited settings.
There is a need for cost-effective, stable, and accessible methods for preserving biospecimens.

Purpose of the Study:

To describe a novel microfluidic device for dry preservation of biological specimens at room temperature.
To present an alternative to the cold chain using microfluidics and stabilization matrices.
To demonstrate the device's ease of use, portability, and applicability in resource-limited settings.

Main Methods:

Development of a SlipChip-based microfluidic device incorporating chemical stabilization matrices.
Utilizing a three-step process: sample loading, lid closure, and device slipping for automatic filling and drying.
Integration with a plasma filtration module and validation using purified RNA solutions.

Main Results:

The device enables dry preservation of biological samples at room temperature.
It allows for precise sample quantification and avoids overfilling through features like a 'pumping lid'.
Validated device operations demonstrated the stability of purified RNA solutions.

Conclusions:

The developed microfluidic device offers a portable, self-contained, and user-friendly solution for dry preservation of biological samples.
This technology can replace the cold chain, facilitating remote analysis, biosurveillance, diagnostics, and drug development.
The modular platform design supports integration and simplifies operation for various microfluidic applications.