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Chromosome observation by scanning electron microscopy using ionic liquid
Author(s) -
Dwiranti Astari,
Lin Linyen,
Mochizuki Eiko,
Kuwabata Susumu,
Takaoka Akio,
Uchiyama Susumu,
Fukui Kiichi
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
microscopy research and technique
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1097-0029
pISSN - 1059-910X
DOI - 10.1002/jemt.22038
Subject(s) - ionic liquid , scanning electron microscope , chemistry , ionic bonding , analytical chemistry (journal) , materials science , chemical engineering , chromatography , ion , organic chemistry , composite material , engineering , catalysis
Electron microscopy has been used to visualize chromosome since it has high resolution and magnification. However, biological samples need to be dehydrated and coated with metal or carbon before observation. Ionic liquid is a class of ionic solvent that possesses advantageous properties of current interest in a variety of interdisciplinary areas of science. By using ionic liquid, biological samples need not be dehydrated or metal‐coated, because ionic liquid behaves as the electronically conducting material for electron microscopy. The authors have investigated chromosome using ionic liquid in conjunction with electron microscopy and evaluated the factors that affect chromosome visualization. Experimental conditions used in the previous studies were further optimized. As a result, prewarmed, well‐mixed, and low concentration (0.5∼1.0%) ionic liquid provides well‐contrasted images, especially when the more hydrophilic and the higher purity ionic liquid is used. Image contrast and resolution are enhanced by the combination of ionic liquid and platinum blue staining, the use of an indium tin oxide membrane, osmium tetroxide‐coated coverslip, or aluminum foil as substrate, and the adjustment of electron acceleration voltage. The authors conclude that the ionic‐liquid method is useful for the visualization of chromosome by scanning electron microscopy without dehydration or metal coating. Microsc. Res. Tech. 75:1113–1118, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.