title: Scanning force microscopy and cryo-electron microscopy of tobacco mosaic virus as a test specimen.
abstract: In this study, tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) provides a resolution criterion for specimen preparation methods as well as for imaging parameters of the scanning force microscope (SFM). We present scanning force microscopic images of the virus embedded in 0.5% buffered phosphotungstic acid solution adsorbed on a freshly cleaved mica surface, and imaged under atmospheric conditions. Individual TMV particles were clearly identified with a characteristic shape of long rods of about 300 nm long and 60-70 nm in apparent width due to the geometric parameters of the tip. The structure of the virus was compared with cryo-electron microscopic data of vitrified suspensions observed to a resolution of 1.15 nm. Uncoated TMV particles were also deposited on evaporated titanium thin films and imaged by SFM.
authors.affiliation: Groupe de Physique Appliquée, University of Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zenhausern
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Adrian
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Emch
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taborelli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jobin
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Descouts
mesh_terms: D015925:Cryopreservation; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010772:Phosphotungstic Acid; D014025:Titanium; D014027:Tobacco Mosaic Virus / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D010772:Phosphotungstic Acid; D014025:Titanium