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Scanning electron microscopy of freeze‐dried aortic elastin
Author(s) -
Grut W.,
Edwards J.,
Evans E. J.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
journal of microscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.569
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2818
pISSN - 0022-2720
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2818.1977.tb00037.x
Subject(s) - elastin , scanning electron microscope , electron microscope , microscopy , materials science , chemistry , crystallography , pathology , composite material , medicine , optics , physics
SUMMARY As part of a larger project aimed at clarifying some of the uncertainties that exist concerning the structural basis for an explanation of the mechanical behaviour of elastin, an examination was made of purified porcine aortic elastin under the scanning electron microscope. In order to avoid structural changes caused by impregnation with organic solvents, specimens were prepared directly from their water‐saturated state by either air‐drying or freeze‐drying processes. Comparison of the results obtained by these techniques demonstrates that freeze‐drying of elastin has the advantage of enhancing fine detail, minimizing distortion and reducing specimen shrinkage.