Femtosecond laser preparation of resin embedded samples for correlative microscopy workflows in life sciences

DOI: 10.1063/5.0142405

Authors: Carles Bosch (The Francis Crick Institute (Midland Road)) , Joerg Lindenau (Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH) , Alexandra Pacureanu (ESRF, The European Synchrotron) , Christopher J. Peddie (The Francis Crick Institute) , Marta Majkut (ESRF, The European Synchrotron) , Andrew C. Douglas (Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH) , Raffaella Carzaniga (The Francis Crick Institute) , Alexander Rack (ESRF, The European Synchrotron) , Lucy Collinson (The Francis Crick Institute) , Andreas T. Schaefer (The Francis Crick Institute; University College London) , Heiko Stegmann (Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Applied Physics Letters , VOL 122

State: Published (Approved)
Published: April 2023
Diamond Proposal Number(s): 20274

Abstract: Correlative multimodal imaging is a useful approach to investigate complex structural relations in life sciences across multiple scales. For these experiments, sample preparation workflows that are compatible with multiple imaging techniques must be established. In one such implementation, a fluorescently labeled region of interest in a biological soft tissue sample can be imaged with light microscopy before staining the specimen with heavy metals, enabling follow-up higher resolution structural imaging at the targeted location, bringing context where it is required. Alternatively, or in addition to fluorescence imaging, other microscopy methods, such as synchrotron x-ray computed tomography with propagation-based phase contrast or serial blockface scanning electron microscopy, might also be applied. When combining imaging techniques across scales, it is common that a volumetric region of interest (ROI) needs to be carved from the total sample volume before high resolution imaging with a subsequent technique can be performed. In these situations, the overall success of the correlative workflow depends on the precise targeting of the ROI and the trimming of the sample down to a suitable dimension and geometry for downstream imaging. Here, we showcase the utility of a femtosecond laser (fs laser) device to prepare microscopic samples (1) of an optimized geometry for synchrotron x-ray tomography as well as (2) for volume electron microscopy applications and compatible with correlative multimodal imaging workflows that link both imaging modalities.

Subject Areas: Technique Development, Biology and Bio-materials


Instruments: I13-2-Diamond Manchester Imaging

Added On: 07/04/2023 09:01

Documents:
5.0142405.pdf

Discipline Tags:

Technique Development - Life Sciences & Biotech Life Sciences & Biotech

Technical Tags:

Imaging Tomography