title: Atmospheric scanning electron microscope system with an open sample chamber: configuration and applications.
abstract: An atmospheric scanning electron microscope (ASEM) with an open sample chamber and optical microscope (OM) is described and recent developments are reported. In this ClairScope system, the base of the open sample dish is sealed to the top of the inverted SEM column, allowing the liquid-immersed sample to be observed by OM from above and by SEM from below. The optical axes of the two microscopes are aligned, ensuring that the same sample areas are imaged to realize quasi-simultaneous correlative microscopy in solution. For example, the cathodoluminescence of ZnO particles was directly demonstrated. The improved system has (i) a fully motorized sample stage, (ii) a column protection system in the case of accidental window breakage, and (iii) an OM/SEM operation system controlled by a graphical user interface. The open sample chamber allows the external administration of reagents during sample observation. We monitored the influence of added NaCl on the random motion of silica particles in liquid. Further, using fluorescence as a transfection marker, the effect of small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of endogenous Varp on Tyrp1 trafficking in melanocytes was examined. A temperature-regulated titanium ASEM dish allowed the dynamic observation of colloidal silver nanoparticles as they were heated to 240°C and sintered.
authors: JEOL Ltd., 3-1-2, Musashino, Akishima, Tokyo 196-8558, Japan. Electronic address: hinishiy@jeol.co.jp.
authors: Hidetoshi
authors: H
authors: Nishiyama
authors: JEOL Technics Ltd., 2-6-38 Musashino, Akishima, Tokyo 196-0021, Japan. Electronic address: koizumi@jeol.co.jp.
authors: Mitsuru
authors: M
authors: Koizumi
authors: JEOL Technics Ltd., 2-6-38 Musashino, Akishima, Tokyo 196-0021, Japan. Electronic address: kogawa@jeol.co.jp.
authors: Koji
authors: K
authors: Ogawa
authors: JEOL Ltd., 3-1-2, Musashino, Akishima, Tokyo 196-8558, Japan. Electronic address: kitamura@jeol.co.jp.
authors: Shinich
authors: S
authors: Kitamura
authors: JEOL Ltd., 3-1-2, Musashino, Akishima, Tokyo 196-8558, Japan. Electronic address: ykonyuub@jeol.co.jp.
authors: Yuji
authors: Y
authors: Konyuba
authors: Yamagata Research Institute of Technology, 2-2-1, Matsuei, Yamagata 990-2473, Japan. Electronic address: watanabeyoshiy@pref.yamagata.jp.
authors: Yoshiyuki
authors: Y
authors: Watanabe
authors: Laboratory of Membrane Trafficking Mechanisms, Department of Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Aobayama, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8578, Japan. Electronic address: n.ohbayashi@m.tohoku.ac.jp.
authors: Norihiko
authors: N
authors: Ohbayashi
authors: Laboratory of Membrane Trafficking Mechanisms, Department of Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Aobayama, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8578, Japan. Electronic address: nori@m.tohoku.ac.jp.
authors: Mitsunori
authors: M
authors: Fukuda
authors: JEOL Ltd., 3-1-2, Musashino, Akishima, Tokyo 196-8558, Japan. Electronic address: msuga@jeol.co.jp.
authors: Mitsuo
authors: M
authors: Suga
authors: Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-4, Umezono, Tsukuba 305-8568, Japan. Electronic address: ti-sato@aist.go.jp.
authors: Chikara
authors: C
authors: Sato
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019556:COS Cells; D002460:Cell Line; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*
keywords: ASEM; Correlative microscopy; Environmental cell; Random movement; Silver paste; Sintering