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High-Contrast Observation of Unstained Proteins and Viruses by Scanning Electron Microscopy

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  • Toshihiko Ogura

Abstract

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is an important tool for the nanometre-scale analysis of the various samples. Imaging of biological specimens can be difficult for two reasons: (1) Samples must often be left unstained to observe detail of the biological structures; however, lack of staining significantly decreases image contrast. (2) Samples are prone to serious radiation damage from electron beam. Herein we report a novel method for sample preparation involving placement on a new metal-coated insulator film. This method enables obtaining high-contrast images from unstained proteins and viruses by scanning electron microscopy with minimal electron radiation damage. These images are similar to those obtained by transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the method can be easily used to observe specimens of proteins, viruses and other organic samples by using SEM.

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  • Toshihiko Ogura, 2012. "High-Contrast Observation of Unstained Proteins and Viruses by Scanning Electron Microscopy," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(10), pages 1-7, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0046904
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0046904
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andrej Sali & Robert Glaeser & Thomas Earnest & Wolfgang Baumeister, 2003. "From words to literature in structural proteomics," Nature, Nature, vol. 422(6928), pages 216-225, March.
    2. Gabriel C. Lander & Eric Estrin & Mary E. Matyskiela & Charlene Bashore & Eva Nogales & Andreas Martin, 2012. "Complete subunit architecture of the proteasome regulatory particle," Nature, Nature, vol. 482(7384), pages 186-191, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Toshihiko Ogura, 2014. "Direct Observation of Unstained Biological Specimens in Water by the Frequency Transmission Electric-Field Method Using SEM," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(3), pages 1-6, March.

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