Cryopreparation of mammalian tissue for X-ray microanalysis in STEM.
A cryopreparation technique for studies of ultrastructure and distribution of diffusible elements in biological tissue is described. Electron microscopical contrast and characteristic X-ray spectra are found to be poor in completely frozen-hydrated ultrathin cryosections of fresh chemically untreated tissue. Both STEM contrast and detection of characteristic X-rays are enhanced by careful freeze-drying in the microscope. Although the ultrastructure is affected by ice crystals, intracellular compartments can be identified by STEM without staining and studied by X-ray microanalysis.
D000818:Animals; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis / Q000379:methods*; D005612:Freeze Drying / Q000379:methods; D008099:Liver / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods*; D008867:Microtomy / Q000379:methods; D051381:Rats