Premium
The cryopuncher: A pneumatic cryofixation device for X‐ray microanalysis of tissue specimens
Author(s) -
ZIEROLD K.
Publication year - 1993
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.1365-2818.1993.tb03383.x
Subject(s) - cryofixation , microanalysis , electron microscope , electron probe microanalysis , scanning electron microscope , in situ , chemistry , ultrastructure , materials science , biophysics , anatomy , biology , optics , composite material , physics , organic chemistry
Summary A cryopunching device is described which allows cryofixation of tissue specimens by quick contact with a precooled copper surface during excision. The advantage of the cryopuncher for analytical electron microscopy of cells and tissues in defined functional states is illustrated by electron probe X‐ray microanalysis of freeze‐dried cryosections from rat liver and dogfish kidney. In comparison with results obtained from specimens plunged into liquid propane, cryopunching in situ results in similar preservation of morphology and remarkably improved intracellular K/Na ratio.