Cryo Diamond Knife
Thinner cryo sections
Perfect cryosections from ultrathin to semi with the same knife
Minimal compression and best structure preservation
Highest quality diamonds and optimal crystal orientation guarantee perfect ultrathin sections and a durable edge
A single slice of a tomogram of an aldehyde fixed and sucrose infiltrated cryosection with a 3D reconstruction. Erik Bos and Peter J. Peters, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam. (see: J. Lefman, P. Zhang, T. Hirai, RM. Weis, J. Juliani, D. Bliss, M. Kessel, E. Bos, P.J. Peters, S. Subramaniam: Three-dimensional electron microscopic imaging of membrane invaginations in Echerichia coli overproducing the chemotaxis receptor Tsr. J. Bacteriol. 2004 Aug; 186(15): 5052-61
Area of application
The Diatome cryo knives are the perfect solution for the sectioning of sucrose protected samples, frozen hydrated samples (Refs. Al-Amoudi, Richter, Zhang), as well as for industrial samples such as polymers, rubber, etc.
The triangular holder, suitable for dry sectioning, as well as the trough, for sectioning using fluids, (DMSO/water) are both made from a special copper-nickel alloy, guaranteeing the best possible heat/cold conduction. A cold-resistant epoxy resin is used for the seal.
For all cryo sectioning of biological as well as industrial specimens, the use of an ionizer is essential (Ref. Michel).
cryo 25°
The cryo 25° knife is designed for sectioning frozen hydrated specimens. The 25° angle results in the least possible compression and the best structure preservation.
Specifications
Thickness range: 30-150nm
Available size: 3mm
cryo 35° cryo 45°
The cryo 35° knife has demonstrated its usefulness as a standard knife for the low temperature sectioning of polymers, rubber, paints, etc.
The 35° angle represents a balanced compromise between section quality and durability.
The cryo 45° knife is well suited for routine cryo sectioning.
Specifications
Thickness range: 30-300nm
Available sizes: 1.5mm, 2.0mm, 2.5mm, 3.0mm, 3.5mm, 4.0mm
High resolution electron micrograph of vitreous section of keratin intermediate filaments in the midportion of stratum corneum of human epidermis. The fine structure of the keratin filaments
is well resolved and their molecular organization is seen in favorable cases (inset).
Scale bar = 100nm. Scale bar inset = 20nm.
Ashraf Al-Amoudi, Laboratoire d'Analyse Ultrastructurale, Lausanne.
References
A. Al-Amoudi, D. Studer and J. Dubochet: Cutting artifacts and cutting process in vitreous sections for cryo-electron microscopy. Journal of Structural Biology 150, pp. 109-121, 2005.
W. Liu, H. J. Geuze, J. W. Slot: Improving structural integrity of cryosections for immunogold labeling Histochemistry and Cell Biology, Vol. 106, PP. 41-55, 1996.
M. Michel, H. Gnagi and M. Muller: Diamonds are a cryosectioner's best friend. Journal of Microscopy, Vol 166, Pt 1, 43-56, 1992.
P. J. Peters: Cryo-lmmunogold Electron Microscopy, In Current Protocols in Cell Biology (J.S. Bonifacino, M. Dasso, J.B. Harford, J. Lippincott-Schwartz and K.M. Yamada, eds) pp. 4.7.1-4.7.12,
1999. Jonn Wiley & Sons, New York.
K. Richter: Cutting artifacts on ultrathin cryosections of biological bulk specimens. Micron, Vol. 25, No. 4, pp. 297-308. 1994.
P. Zhang, E. Bos, J. Heymann, H. Gnaegi, M. Kessel, P.J. Peters, S. Subramaniam: Direct visualization of receptor arrays in frozen-hydrated sections and plunge frozen specimens of E.coli engineered to overproduce the chemotaxis receptor Tsr. Journal of Microscopy, Vol. 216, Pt 1, pp. 76-83, 2004.
Cleaning Instructions
Diamond Knife expert Helmut Gnaegi has established a new cleaning procedure for cryo knives in biological applications. The cleaning works for cryo immuno knives and cryo 25° knives. Download here
Ordering Information
All products can be ordered online using a credit card or purchase order number for payment. Order online:
Diamond Knives and accessories can be ordered by phone at 215-412-8390 or fax 215-412-8450.