In situ observation of freeze-fractured and deep-etched red blood cells with a high-vacuum low-temperature atomic force microscope |
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Authors: | Nakamoto Keiichi Mooney C B Kitamura Shin-ichi |
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Affiliation: | Electron Optics Division, JEOL Ltd., 1-2 Musashino 3-Chome Akishima, Tokyo 196-8558, Japan. nakamoto@jeol.co.jp |
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Abstract: | A high-vacuum low-temperature atomic force microscope (AFM) for the direct observation of freeze-fracture samples has been developed. This AFM has a freeze-fracture mechanism inside the vacuum chamber. With this AFM it is possible to observe the fractured surface directly without both fabricating a replica and exposure to the ambient atmosphere. Both sandwich and knife fracture methods have been achieved to obtain freeze-fracture surfaces and after deep etching. A fine structure of the fractured red blood cell membrane has been observed using both methods. These are relatively quick and easy methods for the observation of freeze-fracture surfaces without introducing replica artifacts. |
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