Aquilos Cryo-FIB/SEM

The Aquilos Cryo-FIB is a focused ion beam/scanning electron microscope system dedicated to preparation of thin lamella samples from biological or beam-sensitive materials at vitrified state. Cryo-lamellae are essentially snapshots of functional native environments whose supramolecular architecture can be studied in situ at high resolution and in 3D by electron tomography.

Cryo-electron tomography’s ability to visualize structures in their native context allows researchers to observe functional relationships and interactions with other components in the native environment. This technique promises to become an important tool for scientists seeking a better understanding of complex, electron beam sensitive systems.