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In this ISSUE:
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Cryo
TEM –
molecules frozen in time
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The
Importance of Digital Imaging in Biological
Applications
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Cryo
electron microscopy requires a special environment
for the microscope
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Advanced Plasma Cleaning
System
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News
Flash |
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New
Product Releases
• In March 2006, Gatan released
two new
11 Megapixel TEM CCD cameras: Erlangshen™ ES1000W (lens coupled) and ORIUS™
SC1000 (fiber optical coupled).
• In March 2006, Gatan released
an Advanced
Plasma Cleaning System. For more details, please
read the article in this issue.
• In July 2006, Gatan launched 3View™,
a specially designed ultra-microtome that operates in-situ in a SEM microscope and allows automated acquisition
of 3D image stacks.
New Life Science Application
Specialist
Linda Melanson joined Gatan’s Marketing team
as its Life Science Application Specialist. Linda
has extensive laboratory and commercial experience
in cryo-TEM applications. Linda’s expertise
will greatly enhance Gatan’s customer support
and communications with the 3D electron microscopy
community.
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European
Distributor Meeting
In April, the Gatan European Distributor Meeting
was held at the Gatan UK facility in Abingdon.
The meeting focused on hands-on training and
extensive demonstrations on Gatan’s latest
products.
2006 EELS Imaging &
Analysis Schools
This April, Gatan successfully hosted and managed
two EELS Imaging & Analysis schools at its
R&D Headquarters in Pleasanton, CA, USA.
The Introduction to EELS School provided comprehensive
lecture and
laboratory training for users with less than
a year's experience in EELS.
The second EELS school provided advanced training
for more experienced users to sharpen their
skills and review the latest technology in EELS
instrumentation and analysis. A total of 45
students participated in the two schools. EELS
schools and other training programs in TEM and
SEM specimen preparation will be offered in
2007. Please visit www.gatan.com in October 2006 for more information.
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Cryo
TEM – molecules frozen in time
By Linda Melanson, Gatan,
Inc. |
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Since most biological cells are about 70% water,
they require some method of preservation that will
counteract the effects of the electron beam and the
high vacuum environment of the electron microscope.
In contrast to older methods for preserving structures
for electron microscopy, rapid freezing of fully hydrated
whole cells, macromolecular complexes or single macromolecules
allows the structural details to be captured in their
essentially native state to near atomic resolution.
Click here for full article.
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The
Importance of Digital Imaging in Biological Applications
By
Kenneth L. Tiekotter, University of Portland |
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In an article
titled “Film Fades Out” (Photonics Spectra,
March 2006:32), Hank Hogan makes an important point:
the digital wheels of change are rapidly moving
forward. Nikon Corporation’s decision to substantially
decrease attention on film camera business and a
similar announcement by Konica Minolta Holdings,
suggesting their withdrawal from the film business
by March of 2007, supports this common harbinger.
As can be expected, economic forces fueled by the
capability of digital cameras now drive the market.
This is not only true of the consumer sector, but
is increasingly true of the scientific and biomedical
imaging market as well.
Click here to read the full article
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Cryo electron microscopy requires a special environment
for the microscope
By Linda Melanson, Gatan,
Inc. |
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Working at cryo temperatures
is more demanding than working at room temperature
so special consideration must be taken with regard
to designing the space that will house the electron
microscope. In a transmission electron microscope,
the tiny specimen grid is suspended between the objective
lens pole pieces of the TEM by means of a specialized
low temperature specimen holder. Although one might
think that the specimen is well protected from the
environment outside of the robust electron optical
column, it is actually quite susceptible to many factors
that can degrade the overall resolution of the final
projected image. It is important to minimize or totally
eliminate any environmental issues that would adversely
affect the operation of the electron microscope and
ancillary instrumentation used in conjunction with
the microscope. Three key factors are vibration, climate
control and stray electromagnetic fields.
Click here
for the full article.
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Advanced Plasma Cleaning System
By Richard Mitro, Gatan,
Inc. |
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GATAN introduced
a state-of-the-art plasma cleaning system for TEM
and SEM applications at the 2005 M&M Meeting. Advanced Plasma Cleaning System is a new generation
plasma system engineered on new concepts and the latest
technology resulting in better performance, simplified
use and consistent cleaning results. The Advanced
Plasma Cleaning System is radically different and
more effective than any plasma cleaning system available.
With all plasma cleaning systems, the
first and most important question is always: “Why
is it necessary to plasma clean samples? Aren’t
they already clean?” The answer is NO. Most
samples are contaminated to some degree, and the amount
may be sufficient to cause problems when examined
in modern electron microscopes. Click here for the full article.
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We
hope that you will find this news letter both interesting and useful.
If you do not, simply click here to be unsubscribed and removed from our list.
Gatan
Inc. Corporate Headquarters, 5933 Coronado Lane, Pleasanton, CA 94588
Tel.     (925) 463 0200 Fax. (925) 463 0204
Contact: info @gatan.com
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