An improved cryogen for plunge freezing

Microsc Microanal. 2008 Oct;14(5):375-9. doi: 10.1017/S1431927608080781.

Abstract

The use of an alkane mixture that remains liquid at 77 K to freeze specimens has advantages over the use of a pure alkane that is solid at 77 K. It was found that a mixture of methane and ethane did not give a cooling rate adequate to produce vitreous ice, but a mixture of propane and ethane did result in vitreous ice. Furthermore, the latter mixture produced less damage to specimens mounted on a very thin, fragile holey carbon substrate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cryoelectron Microscopy / methods*
  • Ethane
  • Freezing*
  • Histological Techniques
  • Methane
  • Propane

Substances

  • Ethane
  • Methane
  • Propane