An oscillating cryo-knife reduces cutting-induced deformation of vitreous ultrathin sections

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_FED0BE92C7BA
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
An oscillating cryo-knife reduces cutting-induced deformation of vitreous ultrathin sections
Journal
Journal of Microscopy
Author(s)
Al-Amoudi  A., Dubochet  J., Gnaegi  H., Luthi  W., Studer  D.
ISSN
0022-2720 (Print)
Publication state
Published
Issued date
10/2003
Volume
212
Number
Pt 1
Pages
26-33
Notes
Evaluation Studies
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't --- Old month value: Oct
Abstract
A new oscillating cryo-knife for producing uncompressed vitreous sections is introduced. The knife is a modified cryo diamond knife that is driven by a piezo translator. Optimal setting for the oscillation was found to be in the inaudible frequency range of 20-25 kHz. Yeast cells and polystyrene spheres were used as model systems to describe compression in the vitreous sections. We found that compression could be reduced by a factor of about 2 when the knife was oscillating. When the oscillator was turned off, sections were compressed by 40-45%. However, only 15-25% compression was obtained when the knife was oscillating. In some cases completely uncompressed sections of yeast cells were produced. It was also found that the amount of compression depends on the specimen itself and on its embedding medium. With the results shown here, we demonstrate that the oscillating knife can produce high-quality vitreous sections with minimum cutting artefacts.
Keywords
Artifacts Cryoelectron Microscopy/*methods Cryopreservation Cryoultramicrotomy/*instrumentation Polystyrenes Pressure Saccharomyces cerevisiae/*ultrastructure Tissue Embedding
Pubmed
Web of science
Create date
24/01/2008 11:25
Last modification date
20/08/2019 17:29
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