Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and 3D electron microscopy

The mPrep System™ streamlines Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Serial Block Face EM (SBEM) sample preparation.  mPrep System benefits include:

  • Simultaneous reagent processing
  • Controlled and reduced reagent consumption
  • Increased reproducibility
  • Reduced errors and accidents due to limited sample touches
  • Easily traceable samples and grids

 

For Serial Block Face (SBEM) 3D EM specimens, the mPrep ASP-1000 provides substantial benefits. SBEM and other 3DEM methods (FIB-SEM, Array Tomography SEM) can require nearly a week of manual reagent processing with toxic, noxious and reactive reagents. With the ASP-1000, additional benefits include:

  • Automated walk-away specimen preparation
  • Automated consistency and quality
  • Specimen preparation in a day, instead of up to a week
  • Greatly reduced handling of noxious reagents.

Cactus (cryo-plane SEM)

The mPrep System is designed for versatility. Our customers continue to develop new applications.  Explore some SEM and 3D SEM applications below.


Cardiac muscle, segmented mitochondria (SBEM)

SEM applications

Serial Block Face Scanning Electron Microscopy

The mPrep ASP-1000 streamlines the specimen workflow for serial block face 3D SEM (SBEM).

Problems

Tissue prep for SBEM is intensely manual, using noxious reagents for fixation, heavy metal staining, and resin embedding. Many SBEM protocols require most of a week to prepare samples, requiring several days of technician time.  Other 3DEM methods including focused ion beam (FIB-SEM) and array tomography use the same or similar protocols:

  • Manual reagent processing requires many days of effort
  • Specimen preparation can require up to a week
  • Difficult to achieve uniform processing times across multiple samples
  • Considerable handling of toxic, noxious, and reactive reagents
  • Extensive set up and clean up
  • Specimens may float in vials, reducing preparation quality.

 

mPrep ASP-1000 Solutions

  • Walk-away automated processing frees technicians from days of babysitting reagent exchanges
  • Faster preparation. Automated reagent processing can be achieved in just one day
  • Simultaneous “robotic” processing assures identical process timing
  • Less handling of noxious reagents during setup and integrated fume enclosure reduces exposure during processing
  • Setup and cleanup are fast
  • Entrapped specimens in mPrep/s capsules will not float.

Brain Cortex (SBEM)

Heart right ventricle (SBEM)

Required

mPrep ASP-1000 – Automated Specimen Processor 

  • Provides walk-away and rapid reagent processing

mPrep/s capsules to hold specimens

An insertion tool is required to insert, remove and adjust the mPrep/s screen. There are two options:

  •  mPrep/s Insertion tool
  •  mPrep/s Workstation (w/integrated insertion tool): faciliates loading and orienting specimens in mPrep/s capsules

mPrep/f couplers to prevent introducing noxious reagents into the mPrep ASP-1000

mPrep/bench to seal capsule bottoms during resin curing

Recommended

Microwell plates

These hold reagents on the ASP-1000 deck.

Product Descriptions


Videos

Webinar: Walk-away Biological Specimen Prep for the 21st Century Lab

This 18-minute webinar (broadcast 25 September 2019) presents how the ASP-1000 automates the preparation of biological specimens for TEM and SBEM (serial block face SEM) to provide walk-away convenience, reduced processing time, and easy clean-up. The webinar also discusses how the ASP-1000 provides pre-programmed protocols for preparing multiple tissues and for immunolabeling, and how users can easily modify existing or create new protocols.



Product Descriptions

mPrep specimen products

mPrep/s™ Capsules – 24 pack

24 capsules, 24 screens

Product SKU: 22405

$160.00

mPrep/s™ Capsules – 96 count

96 capsules, 96 screens

Product SKU: 22505

$528.00

mPrep/s™ Capsule Bodies without Screens – 96 count

96 capsule bodies without screens

Product SKU: 22550

$395.00

mPrep/s™ Workstation

Prepare specimens and insert into mPrep/s capsules with or without orientation using integrated screen insertion tool

Product SKU: 42100

$980.00

mPrep/s™ Insertion Tool

Inserts, removes and adjusts screens in mPrep/s capsules

Product SKU: 32010

$33.00

mPrep/f 30™ Standard Filter Coupler

16 filter couplers per pack

Product SKU: 31500

$54.00

mPrep/Bench™ Silicone Rack

96-well silicone rack for mPrep capsules

Product SKU: 34000

$105.00

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

96-well plates, square well, 1.2ml, polypropylene,10/SLV, sold by SLEEVE

96-well plates, polypropylene, V-bottom, 10/sleeve

Product SKU: 51010

$52.00

96-well plates, square well, 1.2ml, polypropylene,100/CS, sold by CASE

96-well plates, polypropylene, V-bottom, 100/case

Product SKU: 51011

$419.00

12-Channel Reagent Reservoir – Single pack

12-channel reagent reservoir, polypropylene

Product SKU: 52501

$9.75

Biological tissues – fix and critical point dry (CPD)

The mPrep system simplifies the preparation of biological specimens for SEM from chemical fixation through critical point drying (CPD).

Problems

    Tissue prep for SEM requires multiple reagent exchanges per specimen using laboratory equipment not well suited for this purpose.
  • Orientating and mounting CPD specimens is challenging
  • Specimen surfaces are damaged from contact with lab ware and the CPD apparatus
  • Specimens accidentally air-dry from dehydrant during transfer to the CPD
  • Reagent consumption excessive relative to the amount required to ensure reaction

 

mPrep solutions

  • Accurate orientation in seconds using the mPrep Workstation
  • Encapsulated specimens are protected inside mPrep/s capsules
  • Encapsulation keeps specimens immersed during transfer to the CPD apparatus
  • Controlled reagent usage with pipettors reduces reagent consumption

 

 

Skin with wound dressing (SEM CPD)

CPD holder and specimens mounted with mPrep/s screens

Required

mPrep/s capsules to hold specimens

An insertion tool is required to insert, remove and adjust the mPrep/s screen. There are two options:

  •  mPrep/s Insertion tool
    • Precise specimen orientation in seconds
    • Wet samples easy to handle
    • Single focal plane keeps specimens in focus
    • Simultaneous loading of capsules onto pipettor for reagent processing
  • mPrep/s Workstation (w/integrated insertion tool): required to orient specimens using the pinch method. Recommended because of its additional benefits

mPrep/f couplers to prevent introducing damaging reagents into pipettors

Pipettor (such as a Gilson P200 volume) to enable reagent pipetting into mPrep/s capsules

mPrep CPD holder when using a Tousimis critical point dryer

Recommended

Reagent reservoirs

Microwell plates

mPrep/bench to seal capsule bottoms during long reagent treatments

Gilson Pipetman Neo (P200) pipettors bundled with mPrep/s capsules

mPrep/s™ Pipettor Kit single-channel

  • Single-channel pipettor
  • mPrep/s capsule pack
  • 96 pipette tips

mPrep/s™ Pipettor Kit eight-channel

  • Eight-channel pipettor
  • mPrep/s capsule pack
  • 96 pipette tips

Videos

Critical Point Dry (CPD) Sample Prep

This tutorial demonstrates how to transfer mPrep capsules to a critical point dryer. The transfer is shown with an mPrep CPD holder designed for the Tousimis Samdri. Both mPrep/s and mPrep/g capsules are shown.

4 minutes 7 seconds

Specimen and Grid Reagent Processing for TEM and SEM

This video tutorial demonstrates how to use mPrep capsules with multi-channel pipettors and common lab ware to simultaneously deliver reagents to multiple specimens and grids. The video demonstrates TEM fixation and embedding. Reagent processing procedures are similar for all specimen types and for grids with mPrep capsules .

6 minutes 4 seconds

Using the mPrep Workstation for Oriented and Unoriented Specimens

The tutorial starts by introducing the mPrep Workstation. Then it demonstrates how to load and orient specimens into mPrep capsules. Three methods are shown: pinch, compression and cup.

5 minutes 19 seconds



mPrep specimen products

mPrep/s™ Capsules – 24 pack

24 capsules, 24 screens

Product SKU: 22405

$160.00

mPrep/s™ Capsules – 96 count

96 capsules, 96 screens

Product SKU: 22505

$528.00

mPrep/s™ Capsule Bodies without Screens – 96 count

96 capsule bodies without screens

Product SKU: 22550

$395.00

mPrep/s™ Workstation

Prepare specimens and insert into mPrep/s capsules with or without orientation using integrated screen insertion tool

Product SKU: 42100

$980.00

mPrep/s™ Insertion Tool

Inserts, removes and adjusts screens in mPrep/s capsules

Product SKU: 32010

$33.00

mPrep/f 30™ Standard Filter Coupler

16 filter couplers per pack

Product SKU: 31500

$54.00

mPrep/Bench™ Silicone Rack

96-well silicone rack for mPrep capsules

Product SKU: 34000

$105.00

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

96-well plates, square well, 1.2ml, polypropylene,10/SLV, sold by SLEEVE

96-well plates, polypropylene, V-bottom, 10/sleeve

Product SKU: 51010

$52.00

96-well plates, square well, 1.2ml, polypropylene,100/CS, sold by CASE

96-well plates, polypropylene, V-bottom, 100/case

Product SKU: 51011

$419.00

12-Channel Reagent Reservoir – Single pack

12-channel reagent reservoir, polypropylene

Product SKU: 52501

$9.75

Bio tissue cryo-facing

The mPrep system makes cryo-facing easy!

Problems

  • Morphological preservation requires small specimens that are easily lost in liquid nitrogen (LN2)
  • Orienting specimens immersed in LN2 is difficult
  • Cryo-cutting (facing) requires custom engineering, or is manual and less accurate
  • Orientation may be lost during transfer to SEM
  • Specimens are damaged or lost due to multiple handling steps

mPrep solutions

  • mPrep capsules hold small tissue specimens throughout sample preparation
  • The mPrep Workstation accurately orients specimens in seconds
  • mPrep capsules fit onto standard cryo-microtomes for all cryo-facing operations
  • mPrep/s screens maintain tissue orientation throughout processing
  • mPrep capsules protect specimens from loss or damage

Cactus (SEM cryo-faced)

Kidney (SEM cryo-faced)

Required

mPrep/s capsules to hold specimens

mPrep/s Workstation (w/integrated insertion tool): required to orient specimens using the pinch method. Additional benefits are:

    • Precise specimen orientation in seconds
    • Wet samples easy to handle
    • Single focal plane keeps specimens in focus
    • Simultaneous loading of capsules onto pipettor

Recommended

Reagent reservoirs

Microwell plates

mPrep/bench to seal capsule bottoms during long reagent treatments

Pipettor (such as a Gilson P200 volume) to enable reagent pipetting into mPrep/s capsules

Gilson Pipetman Neo (P200) pipettors bundled with mPrep/s capsules

mPrep/s™ Pipettor Kit single-channel

  • Single-channel pipettor
  • mPrep/s capsule pack
  • 96 pipette tips

mPrep/s™ Pipettor Kit eight-channel

  • Eight-channel pipettor
  • mPrep/s capsule pack
  • 96 pipette tips

Videos

Specimen and Grid Reagent Processing for TEM and SEM

This video tutorial demonstrates how to use mPrep capsules with multi-channel pipettors and common lab ware to simultaneously deliver reagents to multiple specimens and grids. The video demonstrates TEM fixation and embedding. Reagent processing procedures are similar for all specimen types and for grids with mPrep capsules .

6 minutes 4 seconds

Using the mPrep Workstation for Oriented and Unoriented Specimens

The tutorial starts by introducing the mPrep Workstation. Then it demonstrates how to load and orient specimens into mPrep capsules. Three methods are shown: pinch, compression and cup.

5 minutes 19 seconds

Webinar: TEM & SEM Sample Preparation with mPrep Capsules

This webinar introduces and demonstrates the mPrep System.  Webinar covers how the mPrep System works. It discusses the benefits of the mPrep System over current practice. And it addresses multiple TEM and SEM applications: tissues,  macromolecules, immuno, nanoparticles, cryo-planing.
45 minutes



mPrep specimen products

mPrep/s™ Capsules – 24 pack

24 capsules, 24 screens

Product SKU: 22405

$160.00

mPrep/s™ Capsules – 96 count

96 capsules, 96 screens

Product SKU: 22505

$528.00

mPrep/s™ Capsule Bodies without Screens – 96 count

96 capsule bodies without screens

Product SKU: 22550

$395.00

mPrep/s™ Workstation

Prepare specimens and insert into mPrep/s capsules with or without orientation using integrated screen insertion tool

Product SKU: 42100

$980.00

mPrep/s™ Insertion Tool

Inserts, removes and adjusts screens in mPrep/s capsules

Product SKU: 32010

$33.00

mPrep/f 30™ Standard Filter Coupler

16 filter couplers per pack

Product SKU: 31500

$54.00

mPrep/Bench™ Silicone Rack

96-well silicone rack for mPrep capsules

Product SKU: 34000

$105.00

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

96-well plates, square well, 1.2ml, polypropylene,10/SLV, sold by SLEEVE

96-well plates, polypropylene, V-bottom, 10/sleeve

Product SKU: 51010

$52.00

96-well plates, square well, 1.2ml, polypropylene,100/CS, sold by CASE

96-well plates, polypropylene, V-bottom, 100/case

Product SKU: 51011

$419.00

12-Channel Reagent Reservoir – Single pack

12-channel reagent reservoir, polypropylene

Product SKU: 52501

$9.75

Polymer cross sections

The mPrep System streamlines sample preparation of polymers and soft materials that are embedded and cross-sectioned for analysis with SEM-EDS (energy dispersive spectroscopy), optical spectroscopies (e.g. FTIR and Raman), and TEM.

Problems

The processes to embed and cross-section polymers and soft materials are conducted using laboratory equipment that are not well suited for this purpose. Microscopists experience multiple challenges;

  • Difficultly preparing many specimens at once
  • Orienting fibers and films is time consuming
  • Difficultly handling particulate specimens
  • Specimens may be damaged during preparation
  • Keeping track of multiple specimens and protocols is difficult

 

mPrep solutions

mPrep/s capsule sample preparation addresses these challenges:

  • Simultaneous processing enables easy preparation of multiple specimens
  • Accurate orientation in seconds using the mPrep Workstation
  • Particulate specimens are entrapped throughout embedding
  • Encapsulated specimen reduces handling and damage
  • Labeled capsules are easy to track

Whole particle (SEM) and 4 EDS cross-section maps

FTIR maps polymer cross-sections

Required

mPrep/s capsules to hold specimens

An insertion tool is required to insert, remove and adjust the mPrep/s screen. There are two options:

  •  mPrep/s Insertion tool
  •  mPrep/s Workstation (w/integrated insertion tool): required to orient specimens using the pinch method. Recommended because of its additional benefits
      • Precise specimen orientation in seconds
      • Wet samples easy to handle
      • Single focal plane keeps specimens in focus
      • Simultaneous loading of capsules onto pipettor for reagent processing

    mPrep/f couplers to prevent introducing damaging reagents into pipettors

    Pipettor (such as a Gilson P200 volume) to enable reagent pipetting into mPrep/s capsules

    mPrep/bench to seal capsule bottoms during long reagent treatments and resin curing

Recommended

Reagent reservoirs

Microwell plates

Gilson Pipetman Neo (P200) pipettors bundled with mPrep/s capsules

mPrep/s™ Pipettor Kit single-channel

  • Single-channel pipettor
  • mPrep/s capsule pack
  • 96 pipette tips

mPrep/s™ Pipettor Kit eight-channel

  • Eight-channel pipettor
  • mPrep/s capsule pack
  • 96 pipette tips

Publications


Videos

Preparing Embedded TEM Specimens for Sectioning

This video tutorial shows how to trim and face an embedded block inside an mPrep/s capsule. The capsule is clamped into a microtome chuck for trimming, facing and sectioning.

1 minutes 17 seconds

Specimen and Grid Reagent Processing for TEM and SEM

This video tutorial demonstrates how to use mPrep capsules with multi-channel pipettors and common lab ware to simultaneously deliver reagents to multiple specimens and grids. The video demonstrates TEM fixation and embedding. Reagent processing procedures are similar for all specimen types and for grids with mPrep capsules .

6 minutes 4 seconds

Using the mPrep Workstation for Oriented and Unoriented Specimens

The tutorial starts by introducing the mPrep Workstation. Then it demonstrates how to load and orient specimens into mPrep capsules. Three methods are shown: pinch, compression and cup.

5 minutes 19 seconds



mPrep specimen products

mPrep/s™ Capsules – 24 pack

24 capsules, 24 screens

Product SKU: 22405

$160.00

mPrep/s™ Capsules – 96 count

96 capsules, 96 screens

Product SKU: 22505

$528.00

mPrep/s™ Capsule Bodies without Screens – 96 count

96 capsule bodies without screens

Product SKU: 22550

$395.00

mPrep/s™ Workstation

Prepare specimens and insert into mPrep/s capsules with or without orientation using integrated screen insertion tool

Product SKU: 42100

$980.00

mPrep/s™ Insertion Tool

Inserts, removes and adjusts screens in mPrep/s capsules

Product SKU: 32010

$33.00

mPrep/f 30™ Standard Filter Coupler

16 filter couplers per pack

Product SKU: 31500

$54.00

mPrep/Bench™ Silicone Rack

96-well silicone rack for mPrep capsules

Product SKU: 34000

$105.00

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

96-well plates, square well, 1.2ml, polypropylene,10/SLV, sold by SLEEVE

96-well plates, polypropylene, V-bottom, 10/sleeve

Product SKU: 51010

$52.00

96-well plates, square well, 1.2ml, polypropylene,100/CS, sold by CASE

96-well plates, polypropylene, V-bottom, 100/case

Product SKU: 51011

$419.00

12-Channel Reagent Reservoir – Single pack

12-channel reagent reservoir, polypropylene

Product SKU: 52501

$9.75