CMS196v³
Cryo-Correlative Microscopy Stage
Developed in collaboration with Prof. Bram Koster's team at Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC) in the Netherlands, the CMS196 is the result of 4 years of R&D.
“The correlative stage was developed out of the necessity for a tool that uses fluorescence microscopy to help localise structures of interest in samples for high resolution cryo electron microscopy imaging. Over the years the system has evolved into an effective and efficient instrument that enables the imaging of cryo electron microscope images after light microscopy characterisation routinely.”
Prof. A.J. Koster - LUMC
CMS196V³ Cryo-CLEM Stage : overview
The CMS196V³ is a cryo-CLEM instrument to enable the full workflow of CLEM. Apart from maintaining the sample vitrified by means of liquid nitrogen cooling it provides proven capabilities to safely handle and transfer cryo samples and image them with optical microscopy while keeping them free of contamination at all times. The integrated motorised, encoded stage of the latest model, together with the new NEXUS software enables high resolution maps of the grid to be produced quickly and easily. This provides a straight forward method of coordinate mapping required to locate the same sample in the fluorescence microscope as well as in the EM.
Although the CMS196V³ was designed specifically to solve the problem of how to get vitrified EM grids from the fluorescent microscope into the cryo TEM without devitrification and contamination through condensation, the stage also had to be optimized optically to enable the use of high NA lenses.
Up to 3 grids are loaded into a specially designed cassette which is transported from a plunge freezer in a small sealed container. The container is loaded into a precooled dry sample loading chamber fitted on an upright fluorescent microscope. The cassette is then easily loaded onto the viewing bridge using special manipulation tools.
Features / Highlights of the CMS196V³
Self-contained cryo sample observation system keeping the sample vitrified at constant -196°C and avoiding contamination
Automatic top-up liquid nitrogen top up of the chamber
Short startup time of only 10 minutes, no mechanical connection between sample mount and Dewar, very good stability, low drift in nm range, good long-term stability
Integrated motorised XY stage with optical encoders for high precision movement and position readout of better than 1µm
Fully Automated XY Mapping
Mounting option for most research grade, upright microscopes from all major manufacturers
Self-aligning magnetic sample cassette system for up to three sample grids
Support for EM-grids, Auto-Grids (FEI), Membrane carriers (Leica HPM100), Bessy grids, planchettes, CryoCapsule from CryoCapCell and custom sample holders, no need to handle bare grids
Sample cassette holder for safe and contamination-free sample loading, storage and transfer
Connects to plunge-freezing and High-Pressure Freezing sample preparation protocols
Integrated sensors for sample temperature monitoring
Integrated condenser optics for transmitted light brightfield and phase contrast
Fluorescence observation with NA of up to 0.9
Full day of independent operation with optional 3L autofill LN2 Dewar
LCD display with button control, standalone joystick operation and full software control via USB interface
Automated heating "bake-out" cycle to drive out moisture
With over 100 systems now in the field around the world, the CMS196 is the proven market leader in Cryo-CLEM
Learn more about: Cryo-Correlative Light Electron Microscopy (Cryo-CLEM) Here
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Why Cryo-CLEM?
Electron microscopy (EM) provides structural information at very high resolution. However, it can give only restricted insight into biological and chemical processes due to limitations in staining and sample preparation processes. Fluorescence microscopy on the other hand is a very sensitive method to detect biological, chemical and genetic processes and events inside living cells.
Cryo-CLEM brings it all together: it is a new and emerging technique that combines the individual advantages from both Fluorescence and EM by imaging the same sample location with both techniques and superimposing the complementary information.
"We are using the cryo-correlative stage to screen cells trapped in a thin layer of ice prior to imaging the samples at synchrotrons in Oxford, Barcelona and Berlin. The team at Linkam Scientific have helped to drive forward our research, quickly adapting and refining the technology to deliver an elegant, flexible, user-friendly stage."
Dr. Lucy Collinson -Head of Electron Microscopy, The Francis Crick Institute
Imaging of vitrified samples under cryo-conditions
In order to make a biological sample compatible with the vacuum conditions found in EM and preserve the structural detail, samples are embedded in vitrified “glass-like” ice and need to be kept below -140°C. Any contact with moisture contained in the air has to be avoided since ice crystals would form immediately and contaminate the sample. Under cryo-conditions the fluorescence signals' structural detail is preserved and photobleaching is significantly reduced.
Read about the new Linkam CryoGenium plunge freezing system (under development)
