07 Apr Colloidal gold fiducial markers for 3-D Tomography
Accurate image alignment is essential for 3-D image reconstruction in TEM tomography. Colloidal gold particles are used as fiducial markers to align the different tilt angle images of thick sections.
Problems
For successful image reconstruction colloidal gold fiducial markers must be distributed uniformly over both sides of the grid. The common protocol is to apply a droplet of a colloidal gold suspension to each grid, and then wick off the droplet after a short adsorption time. The result is that microscopists experience multiple challenges:
- Inconsistent results from grid to grid
- Uneven particle distributions on each grid and each grid side
- Time consuming to prepare multiple grids
- Grids are easily damaged, lost, or mixed up
mPrep solutions
The mPrep System addresses these challenges:
- Consistent results on every grid
- Uniform particle distribution on both grid sides
- Automated or manual simultaneous preparation of up to 16 grids
- Encapsulated grids are protected from damage or loss, and are always identified
Automated with the mPrep ASP-1000
Application of colloidal gold fiducial particles onto grids is fully automated with the mPrep ASP-1000. Colloidal gold particles are applied simultaneously to both sides of up to 16 grids. Automated agitation ensures consistent results.
Manual IGL with a multi-channel pipettor
Using mPrep/g capsules with an 8-channel pipettor, colloidal gold fiducial particles are applied simultaneously to both sides of up to 16 grids. With a multichannel pipettor, manual agitation ensures consistent results for multiple grids prepared simultaneously.
10 nm Au fiducial particle, 250 nm section
10 nm Au fiducial particle, 250 nm section
Required
mPrep/g capsules to hold TEM grids
mPrep/f couplers to prevent introducing reagents into the ASP-1000 or pipettors
ASP-1000 for automated immunogold labeling
Pipettor (such as a Gilson P200 volume) to enable reagent pipetting into mPrep/s capsules
Recommended
Microwell plates to hold reagents
Product Descriptions
Product Descriptions
mPrep grid products
mPrep™ CPD Holder
mPrep™ CPD Holder for critical-point dry processing of up to 6 mPrep/s or 6 mPrep/g capsules. For use with Tousimis® CPD apparatus, and others with 1.25” (32 mm) diameter chambers. Also used for cryogenic specimen preparation.
Product SKU: 33010$260.00
96-well Plates – 500ul per well
96-well plates, polypropylene, round wells with U-bottom, 10/sleeve
Product SKU: 51001$43.00
12-Channel Reagent Reservoir – Single pack
12-channel reagent reservoir, polypropylene
Product SKU: 52501$9.75