mPrep™ ASP™ instruments automate and accelerate biological sample preparation for the highest-quality TEM and 3D volume EM (vEM), including serial block, focused ion beam and array tomography SEM.
ASP-1000 and ASP-2000 instruments are purpose built for aggressive EM solvents and oxidizing reagents. The ASP-2000 has all the features of the ASP-1000 with the added benefit of temperature controlled reagents.
One ASP instrument prepares TEM and vEM specimens including tissues, cell pellets, organoids and cell adhesion substrates (e.g. coverslips), and does on-grid and pre-embedding immuno-gold labeling.
Specimen counts vary? Efficiently prepare just one specimen, or prepare up to 128 TEM or up to 64 vEM specimens at one time.
Complicated protocols? Simultaneously prepare specimens or grids with up to 8 different protocols, with up to 72 reagent steps and 576 different reagents, and even more.
Expensive reagents? No problem. Requires only ~40 microliters per reagent step.
Identical processing with unique microfluidic-directed-flow agitation for consistent and efficient reagent infiltration.
Time, hands-on effort, and reagent efficiency. See how 4 core labs use ASPs for efficient TEM and vEM workflows: Microscopy Today 2024.
mPrep ASPs accelerate TEM and vEM preparation from days to hours:
- TEM – Prepare up to 128 clinical renal biopsy or muscle core segments in ~3 hours -Winner 2024 Diatome Poster Award
- TEM – Prepare muscle in 133 minutes – Applications Note and Publication
- TEM – Liver – in 133 minutes
- TEM – Planaria – in 3 hours, instead of 7 days
- TEM – LR White acrylic prep for immuno-labeling – in 45 minutes
- TEM – Agar enrobed yeast – in 1.5 hours
- vEM – Serial block face, FIB-SEM, and Array Tomography prep of brain and breast cancer in 7 hours – Methods in Cell Biology volume 177
- vEM – FIB-SEM & Serial block face – breast cancer specimens in 5 hours instead 2.5 days.
- vEM – Serial block face – brain prepared in a day – Winner 2020 Diatome Poster Award
- vEM – Serial block face – heart in 8 hours
- vEM – Serial block face – planaria in less than a day – Winner 2017 Diatome Poster Award
Stop babysitting reagent exchanges!
- TEM specimen fixation, en bloc staining, dehydration, and embedding
- Immunolabeling – On grid and pre-embedding (en bloc)
- vEM specimen fixation, staining, dehydration, and embedding
- SEM specimen fixation and dehydration
- Easy set-up and clean-up.
Easy Intuitive Protocol Creation
- Pre-written protocols for TEM and vEM
- Create new protocols or customize existing protocols – specify reagent, reaction time, agitation, and reagent temperature (ASP-2000)
- Two-tiered access: Operator and Developer
- Precise and efficient protocols with greater reproducibly than humanly possible.
Download ASP Brochure
Using ASP processors
1. Select a protocol (or easily create a new protocol)
2. Attach mPrep capsules with loaded specimens or grids
3. Place reagents in microwell plates on the ASP tray. Optionally seal reagent plates with disposable covers to cut air exposure and prevent evaporation
4. Press START. The ASP does the rest:
– mPrep capsules move from reagent to reagent
– Reagents are drawn into mPrep capsules for the specified time
– Agitation flows reagent in and out of capsules for excellent mixing
– mPrep capsules punch through optional reagent covers. Reagents are always fresh
5. When the protocol is completed, remove capsules from the ASP:
– For TEM and vEM embedding there is no messy handling of specimens in resin. Eight resin-filled mPrep/s capsules are simply transferred to the oven to cure the resin
– For grids, mPrep/g capsules are removed and stored in an mPrep Capsule Grid box. No tedious handling of grids
– For SEM preparation simply transfer capsules directly to the CPD holder with no direct specimen handling.
Product Description
Capacity
- 1 to 128 tissue biopsy pieces or other specimens for TEM
- 1 to 64 tissue pieces or other specimens for vEM
- 1 to 32 TEM grids
- 8 reagent delivery channels enable simultaneous preparation with 1 to 8 different reagent sequences
- Up to 8 coverslips for TEM or vEM fixation, staining and embedding
- Unlimited protocol steps
- Up to 72 reagent operations on the deck at a time
- Up to 576 reagents using 96-well microwell plates to hold reagents
Includes
- Automation platform with proven track record for reliability
- Eight channel head
- Pump module
- Integrated removable fume enclosure
- Microwell tray accommodates up to 6 standard 96-well or 12-well reservoirs
- Laptop Controller with multiple preinstalled protocols
Installation requirements
- 120-130 VAC 60 cycle standard. 220 VAC 50 cycle available – please inquire
- ASPs should be installed to vent into a fume hood for safety with electron microscopy reagents
- Required space for base unit including integrated cover: 48 cm wide x 61 cm deep x 64 cm high (19 x 24 x 25 inch)
- Required space for pump module adjacent to base unit: 21 cm wide x 17 cm deep x 31 cm high (8 x 7 x 12 inch)
Download the ASP brochure
Required
mPrep/g capsules to prepare TEM grids
mPrep/s capsules to prepare specimens
mPrep/f couplers to prevent introducing damaging reagents into ASP
mPrep/Bench to transfer resin-filled mPrep/s capsules to oven for resin curing
Microwell plates to hold reagents. Use either 96-well or 12-well
Recommended
mPrep CPD holder for use with critical point dryers and some cryo-preparation applications
Microwell plate covers to cover and seal reagents in microwell plates
ASPs can be used for the full range of specimen and grid preparation applications. Please refer to TEM, SEM and vEM, and Materials Applications.
See how the ASP-1000 and ASP-2000 have been used for these applications:
- Preparing kidney for TEM in 45 minutes from postfix to oven curing
- Preparing core needle kidney biopsies for TEM including en bloc uranyl acid staining in 2 hours prior to resin curing
- Processing oriented mammalian muscle for TEM in 2 hours from postfix to oven curing
- Serial block face specimen preparation of brain, heart, and planeria in about one day, instead of a week
- Rapid automated preparation of Planarian worm tissue for TEM in 3 hours
- Fully automated immunogold pre-embedding and on grid labeling
- Fixation and embedding in LR White resin in 45 minutes
- Liver reliably and consistently prepared for TEM in just 133 minutes prior to resin curing
- Planaria fixed, en bloc stained and ready for for 3D SEM block face imaging in 1.5 days
- Automated preparation of nano-particle TEM specimens.
- ASP product info
-
Using ASP processors
1. Select a protocol (or easily create a new protocol)
2. Attach mPrep capsules with loaded specimens or grids
3. Place reagents in microwell plates on the ASP tray. Optionally seal reagent plates with disposable covers to cut air exposure and prevent evaporation
4. Press START. The ASP does the rest:
– mPrep capsules move from reagent to reagent
– Reagents are drawn into mPrep capsules for the specified time
– Agitation flows reagent in and out of capsules for excellent mixing
– mPrep capsules punch through optional reagent covers. Reagents are always fresh
5. When the protocol is completed, remove capsules from the ASP:
– For TEM and vEM embedding there is no messy handling of specimens in resin. Eight resin-filled mPrep/s capsules are simply transferred to the oven to cure the resin
– For grids, mPrep/g capsules are removed and stored in an mPrep Capsule Grid box. No tedious handling of grids
– For SEM preparation simply transfer capsules directly to the CPD holder with no direct specimen handling.
Product Description
Capacity
- 1 to 128 tissue biopsy pieces or other specimens for TEM
- 1 to 64 tissue pieces or other specimens for vEM
- 1 to 32 TEM grids
- 8 reagent delivery channels enable simultaneous preparation with 1 to 8 different reagent sequences
- Up to 8 coverslips for TEM or vEM fixation, staining and embedding
- Unlimited protocol steps
- Up to 72 reagent operations on the deck at a time
- Up to 576 reagents using 96-well microwell plates to hold reagents
Includes
- Automation platform with proven track record for reliability
- Eight channel head
- Pump module
- Integrated removable fume enclosure
- Microwell tray accommodates up to 6 standard 96-well or 12-well reservoirs
- Laptop Controller with multiple preinstalled protocols
Installation requirements
- 120-130 VAC 60 cycle standard. 220 VAC 50 cycle available – please inquire
- ASPs should be installed to vent into a fume hood for safety with electron microscopy reagents
- Required space for base unit including integrated cover: 48 cm wide x 61 cm deep x 64 cm high (19 x 24 x 25 inch)
- Required space for pump module adjacent to base unit: 21 cm wide x 17 cm deep x 31 cm high (8 x 7 x 12 inch)
Download the ASP brochure
- System components
-
Required
mPrep/g capsules to prepare TEM grids
mPrep/s capsules to prepare specimens
mPrep/f couplers to prevent introducing damaging reagents into ASP
mPrep/Bench to transfer resin-filled mPrep/s capsules to oven for resin curing
Microwell plates to hold reagents. Use either 96-well or 12-well
Recommended
mPrep CPD holder for use with critical point dryers and some cryo-preparation applications
Microwell plate covers to cover and seal reagents in microwell plates
- Applications
-
ASPs can be used for the full range of specimen and grid preparation applications. Please refer to TEM, SEM and vEM, and Materials Applications.
See how the ASP-1000 and ASP-2000 have been used for these applications:
- Preparing kidney for TEM in 45 minutes from postfix to oven curing
- Preparing core needle kidney biopsies for TEM including en bloc uranyl acid staining in 2 hours prior to resin curing
- Processing oriented mammalian muscle for TEM in 2 hours from postfix to oven curing
- Serial block face specimen preparation of brain, heart, and planeria in about one day, instead of a week
- Rapid automated preparation of Planarian worm tissue for TEM in 3 hours
- Fully automated immunogold pre-embedding and on grid labeling
- Fixation and embedding in LR White resin in 45 minutes
- Liver reliably and consistently prepared for TEM in just 133 minutes prior to resin curing
- Planaria fixed, en bloc stained and ready for for 3D SEM block face imaging in 1.5 days
- Automated preparation of nano-particle TEM specimens.
- Purchase