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Quantitative detection of gold nanoparticles on individual, unstained cancer cells by scanning electron microscopy
Author(s) -
HARTSUIKER L.,
VAN ES P.,
PETERSEN W.,
VAN LEEUWEN T.G.,
TERSTAPPEN L.W.M.M.,
OTTO C.
Publication year - 2011
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.1365-2818.2011.03528.x
Subject(s) - scanning electron microscope , colloidal gold , nanoparticle , materials science , nanotechnology , resolution (logic) , microscopy , microscope , electron microscope , scanning confocal electron microscopy , optics , computer science , physics , artificial intelligence , composite material
Summary Gold nanoparticles are rapidly emerging for use in biomedical applications. Characterization of the interaction and delivery of nanoparticles to cells through microscopy is important. Scanning electron microscopes have the intrinsic resolution to visualize gold nanoparticles on cells. A novel sample preparation protocol was developed to enable imaging of cells and gold nanoparticles with a conventional below lens scanning electron microscopes. The negative influence of ‘charging’ on the quality of scanning electron microscopes’ images could be limited by deposition of biological cells on a conductive (gold) surface. The novel protocol enabled high‐resolution scanning electron microscopes’ imaging of small clusters and individual gold nanoparticles on uncoated cell surfaces. Gold nanoparticles could be counted on cancer cells with automated routines.