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Related Concept Videos

Cryo-electron Microscopy01:28

Cryo-electron Microscopy

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Conventional electron microscopy (EM) involves dehydration, fixation, and staining of biological samples, which distorts the native state of biological molecules and results in several artifacts. Also, the high-energy electron beam damages the sample and makes it difficult to obtain high-resolution images. These issues can be addressed using cryo-EM, which uses frozen samples and gentler electron beams. The technique was developed by Jacques Dubochet, Joachim Frank, and Richard Henderson, for...
3.9K

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Extending Cryo-EM to Nonaqueous Liquid Systems.

Asia Matatyaho Ya'akobi1, Yeshayahu Talmon1

  • 1Department of Chemical Engineering and the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute (RBNI), Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel.

Accounts of Chemical Research
|April 19, 2021
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Summary

Cryogenic-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) now enables direct nanostructural studies of nonaqueous liquids, overcoming previous limitations in specimen preparation and imaging. Advances in electron microscopy instrumentation have expanded the applicability of cryo-TEM and cryo-SEM for diverse liquid systems.

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Nanotechnology
  • Analytical Chemistry

Background:

  • Cryogenic-temperature electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is vital for studying aqueous systems like biological samples and polymer solutions.
  • Direct nanostructural studies of nonaqueous liquid systems using cryo-EM are limited due to significant technical challenges.
  • Existing cryo-EM methods face difficulties with specimen preparation and imaging contrast for nonaqueous liquids.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the principles of cryo-EM essential for direct imaging of liquid systems.
  • To discuss challenges and solutions for imaging nonaqueous liquid nanostructures using cryo-TEM and cryo-SEM.
  • To highlight recent instrumental advancements expanding cryo-EM applications to diverse nonaqueous systems.

Main Methods:

  • Review of fundamental cryo-TEM and cryo-SEM principles for direct nanostructural imaging.
  • Analysis of specimen preparation techniques and cryogen selection for nonaqueous liquids.
  • Description of instrumental developments including improved electron field emission guns (FEGs), Volta phase plate, sensitive cameras, and detectors.

Main Results:

  • Technical difficulties in imaging nonaqueous systems, from oil-based to acid-based liquids, have been overcome.
  • Modern instrumental advancements have significantly enhanced the resolution and contrast in cryo-TEM and cryo-SEM.
  • Successful application of cryo-EM methodologies demonstrated through case studies of nonaqueous liquid systems.

Conclusions:

  • Cryo-EM methodologies, particularly cryo-TEM and cryo-SEM, have been successfully adapted for direct nanostructural analysis of nonaqueous liquid systems.
  • Instrumental improvements have addressed previous limitations, expanding the scope and applicability of cryo-EM in materials science and beyond.
  • The study showcases the power of advanced cryo-EM techniques for understanding complex nonaqueous liquid nanostructures.