title: Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy: aqueous suspensions of nanoscale objects.
abstract: Direct imaging of nanoscale objects suspended in liquid media can be accomplished using cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). Cryo-TEM has been used with particular success in microbiology and other biological fields. Samples are prepared by plunging a thin film of sample into an appropriate cryogen, which essentially produces a snapshot of the suspended objects in their liquid medium. With successful sample preparation, cryo-TEM images can facilitate elucidation of aggregation and self-assembly, as well as provide detailed information about cells and viruses. This work provides an explanation of sample preparation, detailed examples of the many artifacts found in cryo-TEM of aqueous samples, and other key considerations for successful cryo-TEM imaging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities 207 Pleasant St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
authors.forename: Nathan D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Burrows
authors.forename: R Lee
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Penn
mesh_terms: D001695:Biology / Q000379:methods*; D020285:Cryoelectron Microscopy / Q000379:methods*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000379:methods*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods; D013535:Suspensions
chemical_list: D013535:Suspensions