title: Early results using high-resolution, low-voltage, low-temperature SEM.
abstract: Recent advances in the design of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) column, such as the coupling of a field-emission gun to a low-aberration immersion lens and the availability of a high-stability cryo-transfer stage, make low-temperature, low-voltage SEM (LTLVSEM) possible at very high resolution. We have used this combination to obtain results with uncoated biological specimens. The trichocyst from a Paramecium was used as a test specimen to observe the shrinkage of this structure as the temperature is raised from 170 K to room temperature following freeze-drying. High-magnification stereo images were obtained of trichocysts that had been prepared by freezing, freeze-substitution and critical-point drying and which were subsequently viewed by LTLVSEM to reduce beam damage and contamination.
authors.affiliation: Integrated Microscopy Resource, Madison, WI 53706.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Pawley
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Walther
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malecki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005612:Freeze Drying; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods*; D010247:Paramecium / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013696:Temperature