Obtain better cell samples for your cryo-electron tomography experiments !
Cryo-EM is rapidly expanding for imaging intracellular molecules conformations. However, imaging cell samples with cryo-ET can be a challenge. Indeed, the cells often adhere on the metallic grid frame and therefore cannot be imaged in transmission electron microscopy.
Unlike other micropatterning techniques, PRIMO maskless and contactless micropatterning provides unique advantages for your TEM and cryo-ET imaging experiments:
- Cell positioning: precise automatic alignment within the mesh of EM grids!
- Standardized cell models: reproducible micropatterning for mechanobiology studies
- Undamaged surface: contactless micropatterning preserving the EM grid surface integrity
Cell positioning within EM grid mesh
Leonardo software detects the mesh of EM grids and automatically aligns your patterns within it, for PRIMO to perform aligned micropatterning. The PRIMO system thus ensures cells will be well positioned within the mesh of your EM grids !
And thus make sure you get cells optimally positioned for FIB milling and cryo-ET !
Micropatterning for standardized cell models
Micropatterning is known as an effective way to control cell adhesion in vitro. This technique is therefore largely used for standardizing cell shape as well as cell internal organization (directly linked to external adhesive cues).
With its unique capacity to automatically align micropatterns within the mesh of EM grids, PRIMO micropatterning appears as the perfect tool for conducting homogeneous and standardized cryo-EM experiments.
To go further, using PRIMO micropatterning for cryo-ET experiments on cells could help precisely target specific internal elements when correlative imaging approaches prove to be too challenging, as emphasised by M.
EM grid undamaged surface
As a maskless and contactless photopatterning system, PRIMO can project your micropatterns in UV light on the surface of EM grids without compromising their integrity!
