Atmospheric Scanning Electron Microscope observes cells in solution

Hidetoshi Nishiyama, Mitsuo Suga, Toshihiko Ogura, Yuusuke Maruyama, Mitsuru Koizumi, Kazuhiro Mio, Shinichi Kitamura and Chikara Sato

Abstract: We have developed an inverted scanning electron microscope with a detachable, open-culture dish, capable of 8nm resolution, and combined with a fluorescence microscope quasi-simultaneously observing the same area. In this system, cells or organelles are observed by the fluorescence microscopy from the top, and by the high resolution scanning microscopy from the bottom. Cells cultured on the open dish can be externally manipulated under an optical microscopy, fixed, and observed using scanning electron microscopy.

Key words: ASEM, atmospheric pressure, Scanning electron microscope, environmental cell, thin film