Name: low-cost cryo-light microscopy stage fabrication for correlated light/electron microscopy
Uploaded: 2011-06-05T17:00:00
Duration: 10 min
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Low-Cost Cryo-Light Microscopy Stage Fabrication for Correlated Light/Electron Microscopy at JoVE.com

The authors wish to thank Brandon J. Zipp and Ken B. Kaplan for providing access to the yeast strain used in this study. The authors also 
thank Julio Lenin Dominguez-Ramirez for assistance with videotaping. J.E.E. acknowledges NIH funding support from grant number 5RC1GM91755.

1. Fabrication and Assembly
 <ol>
	<li>Place the aluminum heat sink inside the 22.96 cm (9") pie pan approximately 2 cm from the side of the pan, as shown in Figure 1c. Using a black marker pen, mark 
	holes for the aluminum heat sink. Note: If the aluminum block (purchased at a local scrap metal shop or online at <a href="http://www.onlinemetals.com">http://www.onlinemetals.com</a>) does not come with 
	pre-drilled holes, you will need to arrange to have holes drilled and countersunk prior to step 1 to secure the aluminum block to the pie pan. We used 5 holes to secure
	the block to the platform and 4 extra holes to allow nitrogen gas bubbles to escape from under the aluminum. </li>
	<li>Place the cryo-grid box near the location of the aluminum heat sink and mark the notch and each side.</li>
	<li>Drill pilot holes for each marked position using a #17 drill bit for the aluminum heat sink holes and a #35 drill bit for the cryo-grid box holes.</li>
	<li>Mount the aluminum heat sink using 5 - #10, 1.9 cm (3/4") flat head slotted bolts and corresponding nuts as well as 15 - #10 washers. Place two washers beneath the
	aluminum block and the third on the backside of the pie pan for each hole. Note: Unsecured overhangs of the aluminum block near the viewing area can 
	result in vibrations that limit imaging capabilities of the stage. Check to make sure all mounting bolts are firmly tightened.</li>
	<li>Insert 3 - #4, 0.95 cm (3/8") round slotted bolts and corresponding nuts from the backside of pie pan to act as the cryo-grid box mount.</li>
	<li>Tape 4 chopsticks together in pairs with one chopstick atop another. Tape each pair to opposite edges of the cake pan to act as spacers.</li>
	<li>Wet the top and bottom surface of the cake and pie pans respectively with ddH2O.</li>
	<li>Fill the cake pan with two layers of insulating spray foam. Wetting each layer before going to the next step.</li>
	<li>Press the pie pan into the foam.</li>
	<li>Flip the pans upside down and press on the cake pan until the spacers contact the pie pan. Place any weighted object atop the cake pan and let sit overnight to cure.</li>
	<li>With a serrated knife, cut away the excess dried insulating spray foam from the edge of the pans and remove the chopsticks.</li>
	<li>Remove the cake pan from the pie pan. The pie pan with aluminum heat sink is now insulated and will be referred to as the "cryogenic stage" (Fig 1a).</li>
	<li>Place a transparent plastic clipboard (any color and greater than 3 mm thick) over the top of the cryogenic stage. Mark with a black marker the location of the 
	cryo-grid box mount by drawing a circle approximately 1.5 times the diameter of a single round cryo-grid box. Cut out hole with a 1.9 cm (3/4") hole saw. This 
	clipboard will be referred to as the "loading screen" (Fig 1b).</li>
	<li>Put a new transparent clipboard atop of the cryogenic stage and place on the microscope with the heat sink directly under the objective lenses. With a black
	marker, mark the path of the objectives as they rotate.</li>
	<li>Cut along the marked line removing a half circle from the edge of the clipboard. This can be accomplished with a jigsaw or using a 7.62 cm (3") hole saw multiple times as shown in the video.</li>
	<li>Finally cut a 1.9 cm (3/4") hole away from the half circle but still within the area of the dish. This will be the port for refilling liquid nitrogen (lN2)
	if levels drop while imaging. This clipboard will be referred to as the "viewing screen" (Fig 1c).</li>
</ol>

2. Sample Preparation
<ol>
	<li>Dilute log phase yeast cells grown in synthetic complete (SC) media to an appropriate concentration of 1x106 cells/mL in water.</li>
	<li>2 mL of the diluted yeast are pipetted onto a R2/1 400 mesh holey carbon coated copper cryo-EM grid (SPI Supplies, West Chester, PA) and allowed to adsorb for 
	15 seconds.</li>
	<li>Blot away excess liquid from the grid surface by touching the back of the grid to a torn piece of soft cellulose tissue (Kimwipe) for 2 seconds.</li>
	<li>If necessary, the grid can be washed with 3 &mu;L drops of water (1-3 times), and wicked away as in step 3 by blotting from the back.</li>
	<li>Before the final wash, the sample is loaded into the pneumatic plunge freezer and the hanging grid is washed as in step 2.4. After blotting the grid
	with torn tissue paper (Kimwipe) to remove the majority of the water from the surface, the grid is plunged into lN2 cooled liquid ethane and transferred to a 
	cryo-grid box for storage 1. Note: it is important to leave a layer of liquid as thin as possible on the surface to keep the sample hydrated. Improper blotting 
	will either dry out the sample or leave ice that is opaque to the electron beam.</li>
</ol>

3. Cryo-Light Microscopy
<ol>
	<li>Fill the cryogenic stage with lN2 and quickly cover with the loading screen (plastic clipboard with single 1.9 cm (3/4") hole).</li>
	<li>Once the metal reaches lN2 temperature, transfer the cryo-grid box through the 1.9 cm (3/4") hole of the loading screen and into the transfer mount created by the 
	3 screws described in part A5. Unscrew the cryo-grid box from its holder and remove the holder for improved access. Keep the cryo-grid box holder under lN2 in a separate dewar 
	until step 3.10. The cryo-grid box should also be kept under lN2 to prevent sample grid warming.</li>
	<li>Refill lN2 in the cryogenic stage to just below the top of the aluminum heat sink. Note: lN2 levels must be periodically 
	checked and refilled during the imaging process to ensure lN2 is continuously in contact with the heat sink. In general, the refilling occurs every 10 
	minutes through the fill port in the viewing screen.</li>
	<li>Pre-cool the tweezer tip in lN2, then transfer your grid(s) onto the flat viewing surface of the aluminum heat sink with tweezers, using the 1.9 cm (
	3/4") hole of the loading screen.</li>
	<li>Carefully move the cryo-stage to beneath the reflected light microscope&#x2019;s objective apertures.</li>
	<li>Place the transparent viewing screen atop the loading screen. Then slowly remove the loading screen by sliding it underneath the viewing screen. 
	Note: At this point, the sample is most vulnerable. All air currents around the microscope should be minimized, including: breathing, a nearby 
	door opening, people walking past, etc. We suggest wearing a facemask or hanging a transparent face shield below the microscope eyepieces as a precautionary measure.</li>
	<li>Rotate the objective lenses into the cold nitrogen gas environment of the cryo-stage and scan for the sample on the flat heat sink viewing area. Using standard 
	bright field light microscopy techniques focus on the grid with a low magnification objective to find the center and take an overview image. Specifications regarding 
	the light microscopy lenses used for this experiment are listed in the Experimental Materials section. Note: lN2 does not come in contact with the objective lenses 
	and we have yet to see degradation of images or damage to the lenses from the effects of cooling.</li>
	<li>Focus in high magnification on an area of interest and acquire data with bright field, dark field, polarized light or fluorescence imaging. Be sure to record the 
	location of the area of interest on the low magnification bright field image for future correlation. If all precautions listed above for refilling the lN2 are followed, 
	then the positive pressure from the evaporating nitrogen is sufficient to maintain a contamination free environment (independent of room humidity) for the duration of 
	imaging.</li>
	<li>Once finished, replace the loading screen by sliding it over the top of the viewing screen. Remove the viewing screen by slowing sliding it beneath the loading screen.</li>
	<li>Remove the cryo stage from the microscope and with pre-cooled tweezers, transfer the grid back to the cryo-grid box. Screw the cryo-grid box holder into 
	cryo-grid box to seal against the environment and transfer the holder to a lN2 dewar for storage and future imaging.</li>
</ol>

4. Cryo-Electron Microscopy
<ol>
	<li>Following standard and established techniques, load the sample grid into a cryo-EM transfer holder while keeping the specimen at liquid nitrogen 
	temperature at all	times.</li>
	<li>Insert the cryo-holder with sample grid into a Transmission Electron Microscope.</li>
	<li>In a suitable low magnification view (50-500x nominal magnification), find the center of the sample grid.</li>
	<li>Use the previously collected low magnification cryo-LM data from step 3.7 to determine the relative orientation of the grid&#x2019;s central copper tabs (as described in
	Figure 2) and identify exact areas of interest for correlation.</li>
	<li>Proceed with microscope alignment, low-dose cryo-EM imaging and data collection.</li>
</ol>

5. Representative Results
The cryogenic stage (Fig 1a) is an effective way to gather cryo-LM data for cryo-fluorescence microscopy and correlative cryo-LM/cryo-EM 
analysis. Figure 2 shows how the combination of low and high magnification cryo-LM images allows you to build reference maps that direct you to specific areas in 
cryo-EM. The resulting cryo-LM reference map (Fig 2b) was utilized during cryo-EM data acquisition to locate exact regions shown in Figure 3. 
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/2909/2909fig1.jpg" alt="Figure 1" /> 
Figure 1. Cryogenic Stage. a) The layout of the cryogenic stage consists of a cryo-grid box transfer mount indicated with a
 white arrow and an aluminum heat sink. Grids are transferred under lN2 from the cryo-grid box and placed directly on the heat sink&#x2019;s viewing area as 
 indicated by the black arrow. b) Image depicting the cryogenic stage with loading screen. The hole in the loading screen is placed directly 
 over the cryo-grid box mount and acts as a port to transfer samples and for moving samples from the cryo-grid box to the sample viewing area on the heat sink with 
 tweezers. c) The cryogenic stage in position under the objective lenses with the viewing screen in place. The special cutout on the viewing
 screen allows the objective lenses to easily swing into position without moving the cryogenic stage. The hole in the viewing screen away from the sample area acts 
 as a lN2 fill port to replenish lN2 levels if necessary.
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/2909/2909fig2.jpg" alt="Figure 2" /> 
Figure 2. Navigating in cryo-LM for correlative studies. a) Low magnification cryo-LM view of yeast cells adhered to a sample 
grid. b) The same image in (a) overlaid with a high magnification fluorescence image of an area of interest and with a filled orange polygon marking 
the center of the sample grid. The center consists of a group of four squares, three having an extra metal tab and the forth open. For the three squares with an extra 
metal tab, two pairs share the tab about the long and short axes forming an asymmetric center. This asymmetric center can be seen in the upper left corner and was used 
to indicate the rotation angle and handedness of the grid between cryo-LM and cryo-EM. From one low magnification image many areas of interest can be marked and used as
 a reference map to locate identical areas in cryo-EM. c) A magnified fluorescence cryo-LM image of the area of interest in (b). HTA1-CFP, a c-terminal 
CFP histone marker, can be seen as a green punctate structure labeling the location of the nucleus. d) A cryo-EM image of the corresponding area in 
(c). Scale bars represent 50 microns.
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/2909/2909fig3.jpg" alt="Figure 3" /> 
Figure 3. Correlation of cryo-LM and cryo-EM. Two fields of view depicting identical yeast cells correlated with cryo-bright field (a,d), 
cryo-fluorescence (b,e), and cryo-EM (c,f). Scale bars represent 5 microns.

<ol>
	<li>Dubochet, J., Adrian, M., Lepault, J., McDowall, A. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cryo-electron+microscopy+of+vitrified+biological+speciments.">Cryo-electron microscopy of vitrified biological speciments.</a> Trends Biochem. Sci. 10, 143-146 (1985).</li><li>Plitzko, J. M., Rigort, A., Leis, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Correlative+cryo-light+microscopy+and+cryo-electron+tomography:+from+cellular+territories+to+molecular+landscapes.">Correlative cryo-light microscopy and cryo-electron tomography: from cellular territories to molecular landscapes.</a> Curr Opin Biotechnol. 20, 83-89 (2009).</li><li>Schwartz, C. L., Sarbash, V. I., Ataullakhanov, F. I., McIntosh, J. R., Nicastro, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cryo-fluorescence+microscopy+facilitates+correlations+between+light+and+cryo-electron+microscopy+and+reduces+the+rate+of+photobleaching.">Cryo-fluorescence microscopy facilitates correlations between light and cryo-electron microscopy and reduces the rate of photobleaching.</a> J Microsc. 227, 98-109 (2007).</li><li>Lepper, S., Merkel, M., Sartori, A., Cyrklaff, M., Frischknecht, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rapid+quantification+of+the+effects+of+blotting+for+correlation+of+light+and+cryo-light+microscopy+images.">Rapid quantification of the effects of blotting for correlation of light and cryo-light microscopy images.</a> J Microsc. 238, 21-26 (2010).</li><li>Sartori, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Correlative+microscopy:+bridging+the+gap+between+fluorescence+light+microscopy+and+cryo-electron+tomography.">Correlative microscopy: bridging the gap between fluorescence light microscopy and cryo-electron tomography.</a> J Struct Biol. 160, 135-145 (2007).</li><li>McDonald, K. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+review+of+high-pressure+freezing+preparation+techniques+for+correlative+light+and+electron+microscopy+of+the+same+cells+and+tissues.">A review of high-pressure freezing preparation techniques for correlative light and electron microscopy of the same cells and tissues.</a> J Microsc. 235, 273-281 (2009).</li><li>van Driel, L. F., Valentijn, J. A., Valentijn, K. M., Koning, R. I., Koster, A. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tools+for+correlative+cryo-fluorescence+microscopy+and+cryo-electron+tomography+applied+to+whole+mitochondria+in+human+endothelial+cells.">Tools for correlative cryo-fluorescence microscopy and cryo-electron tomography applied to whole mitochondria in human endothelial cells.</a> Eur J Cell Biol. 88, 669-684 (2009).</li><li>Gaietta, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multicolor+and+electron+microscopic+imaging+of+connexin+trafficking.">Multicolor and electron microscopic imaging of connexin trafficking.</a> Science. 296, 503-507 (2002).</li><li>Sosinsky, G. E., Giepmans, B. N., Deerinck, T. J., Gaietta, G. M., Ellisman, M. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Markers+for+correlated+light+and+electron+microscopy.">Markers for correlated light and electron microscopy.</a> Methods Cell Biol. 79, 575-591 (2007).</li></ol>

The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Using our cryogenic stage and sample preparation techniques, correlative studies between cryo-LM and cryo-EM exhibit several benefits over 
traditional room temperature approaches including, but not limited to: rapid fixation1,2, reduced photobleaching3, and scanning of sample integrity prior to 
cryo-EM4,5 or chemical fixation/embedding6. One of the bottlenecks for cryo-EM data collection is the time required for both transferring the sample into a TEM
 and scanning the grid to find suitable regions to image. With cryo-LM&#x2019;s rapid data acquisition5, time spent finding good cells can be greatly reduced. 
Thus, we can save both time and money and mitigate this bottleneck by pre-scanning and mapping areas of interest in cryo-LM.
More expensive or complex cryogenic stages may allow higher resolution cryo-LM imaging. However, the stage fabricated here is more than 
adequate for many applications. If cryo-LM imaging and sample grid transfers are performed with caution as described in the text and video, fully contamination free 
imaging can be accomplished. This method allows direct correlation of fluorescent and electron microscopy data of the same cell, organelle or macromolecular complex 
dispersed on the carbon support or contained within a thin tissue section7. It should be noted that the value of this cryogenic stage extends beyond 
cryo-LM/cryo-EM correlative studies to the field of light microscopy as a whole. This cryogenic stage is well suited for both delicate samples and fluorophore 
dyes/stains8, Quantum Dots, or fluorescently tagged proteins9 that may be unstable during room temperature chemical fixation and embedding with 
glutaraldehyde and paraformaldehyde. As a result, we hope that this cryogenic stage will provide greater access to those interested in cryo-LM, who have been previously 
deterred by cost and insufficient access.
Troubleshooting Cryo-Light Microscopy
1. Sample Adsorption: Different samples can exhibit variable adsorption characteristics to the carbon support. You may find it necessary to use other types of support grids such as continuous carbon, holey carbon, or formvar coated grids for sample support. Additionally, if the sample is binding to the copper bars of the grid and not the carbon surface, it may be necessary to adjust the carbon surface chemistry by incubating the grid with a wetting agent or by glow discharging prior to sample addition.
2. Stage stability: If you notice vibration, it is likely due to the sample stage being overloaded with weight rather than the bubbling of lN2. The added weight of the cryogenic stage, can sometimes cause low frequency vibrations to transmit along the standard 3-axis travel microscope stage, and negatively affect imaging via blurring. This can easily be corrected by supporting the microscope&#x2019;s travel stage from underneath with either an adjustable mini-lift or an adjustable adapter with dual-screw arms, as shown in the video. Both of these adjustable support mechanisms interact with a non-moveable portion of the travel stage and therefore still permits X and Y-axis translation as required for imaging.

Table of specific reagents and equipment: 
<table border="1">
 <tbody>
 <tr>
 <th>Name</th>
 <th>Company</th>
 <th>Catalog #</th>
 <th>Comments</th>
 <th>Cost</th>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>1 - 22.86 cm (9") pie pan with sloped edge</td>
 <td>Good Cook</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 <td>Local grocery store</td>
 <td>$4.39</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>1 - 22.86 cm (9") cake pan</td>
 <td>Good Cook</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 <td>Local grocery store</td>
 <td>$4.93</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>4 pairs of chopsticks</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 <td>Local grocery store</td>
 <td>$.50</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>1 - Great Stuff spray foam</td>
 <td>Great Stuff</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 <td>Local hardware store</td>
 <td>$5.98</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>1 - 4cm x8cm x1cm block of aluminum </td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 <td>Local hardware store or metal scrap yard</td>
 <td>$10.00</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>5 - #10 1.91 cm (3/4") flat head slotted bolts w/ nuts</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 <td>Local hardware store</td>
 <td>$0.98</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>3 - #4 0.95 cm (3/8") round slotted bolts w/ nuts</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 <td>Local hardware store</td>
 <td>$0.98</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>15 - #10 washers</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 <td>Local hardware store</td>
 <td>$0.98</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>2 - transparent plastic clipboards</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 <td>Local office store</td>
 <td>$6.84</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>1 - Cryo-EM grid box holder </td>
 <td>Ted Pella</td>
 <td>160-41</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 <td>N/A</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>1 - Cryo-EM grid box handling rod</td>
 <td>Ted Pella</td>
 <td>160-46</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 <td>N/A</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>1 - R2/1 holey carbon film, 400-mesh copper cryo-EM support grid</td>
 <td>SPI Supplies</td>
 <td>4340C-XA</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 <td>N/A</td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table>
Experimental materials
<ol>
 <li>Yeast strain: Hta1-CFP::Kan (KSC-3382: MATa, ura3-52, lys2-801, ade2-101, trp1-&Delta;63, his3-&Delta;200, leu2-&Delta;1, Hta1-CFP::KanMX6 
 from the Kaplan lab at UC Davis).</li>
 <li>Cryo-Light Microscopy: Cryo-light microscopy images were taken on a Leica DM4000M reflecting microscope with a Leica DFC310 FX CCD camera. Bright 
 Field, Dark Field and Fluorescence images were acquired using either a HCX PL FLUOTAR 5x 0.15 N.A. air objective, a HCX PL FLUOTAR 10x 0.30 N.A. air objective, 
 a PL FLUOTAR 50x 0.55 N.A. air objective or a NPLAN 100x 0.75 N.A. air objective. Bright Field and Dark Field images used a 12V 100W tungsten lamp as the light 
 source. For Fluorescence, an EL6000 UV lamp source was used in conjunction with a Leica JC1 (Ex.F.: BP 480/30, D.M.: LP 505, S.F. BP 535/40 &amp; LP 580) Filter Cube.</li>
 <li>Cryo-Transmission Electron Microscopy: Cryo-EM images were acquired on a JEM-2100-FEG Transmission Electron Microscope (JEOL, Japan) operating at 200 KeV utilizing a Gatan 626 cryo-transfer holder (Gatan, USA). Micrographs were recorded at nominal magnifications of 50, 200, 1,200 and 4,000X on a 4,096 x 4,096 pixel Tietz CCD camera (TVIPS, Gauting, Germany).</li>
</ol>

low-cost cryo-light microscopy stage fabrication for correlated light/electron microscopy

The coupling of cryo-light microscopy (cryo-LM) and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) poses a number of advantages for understanding cellular 
dynamics and ultrastructure. First, cells can be imaged in a near native environment for both techniques. Second, due to the vitrification process, samples are
 preserved by rapid physical immobilization rather than slow chemical fixation. Third, imaging the same sample with both cryo-LM and cryo-EM provides correlation of
 data from a single cell, rather than a comparison of "representative samples". While these benefits are well known from prior studies, the widespread use of correlative 
 cryo-LM and cryo-EM remains limited due to the expense and complexity of buying or building a suitable cryogenic light microscopy stage. Here we demonstrate the 
 assembly, and use of an inexpensive cryogenic stage that can be fabricated in any lab for less than $40 with parts found at local hardware and grocery stores. This 
 cryo-LM stage is designed for use with reflected light microscopes that are fitted with long working distance air objectives. For correlative cryo-LM and cryo-EM 
 studies, we adapt the use of carbon coated standard 3-mm cryo-EM grids as specimen supports. After adsorbing the sample to the grid, previously established protocols 
 for vitrifying the sample and transferring/handling the grid are followed to permit multi-technique imaging. As a result, this setup allows any laboratory with a 
 reflected light microscope to have access to direct correlative imaging of frozen hydrated samples.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Low-Cost Cryo-Light Microscopy Stage Fabrication for Correlated Light/Electron Microscopy at JoVE.com

Low-Cost Cryo-Light Microscopy Stage Fabrication for Correlated Light/Electron Microscopy

We demonstrate the fabrication of a low-cost cryogenic stage designed to fit most reflected light microscopes. This lab-built cryogenic stage enables efficient and reliable correlative imaging between cryo-light and cryo-electron microscopy.

The coupling of cryo-light microscopy (cryo-LM) and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) poses a number of advantages for understanding cellular 
dynamics ...

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