Development of high resolution TEM image acquisition system by using high-pressure freezing method

Abstract

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is important for ultrastructure observation for organelles, cells and tissues. However, it is unsuitable for comprehensive analyses. We have constructed a high resolution TEM image acquisition system to take a giga-pixel electron micrograph. An auto-acquisition TEM system can control TEM system such as a X-Y stage, electron beam and a CCD camera by remote PC, and acquired continuous electron micrographs. We succeed in records more than 30 thousand images. We developed image-tiling program for TEM pictures, and several thousands of pictures were automatically merged. In this article, we describe the mechanism of high resolution TEM image acquisition system and the applications by using high-pressure freezing method.