Cryofixation methods

Hanyu, Y., Ichikawa, M., and Matsumoto, G. 1992. An improved cryofixation method Cryoquenching of small tissue blocks during microwave irradiation. J. Microsc. 165 255-271. Harnish, D. C., Scicchitano, M. S., Steven, J., Adelman, C., Lyttle, R., and Karathanasis, S. K. 2000. The role of CBP in estrogen receptor cross-talk with nuclear factor-kB in hepG2 cells. 

In order to use electron microscopy to visualise the microemulsion structure, the problem of the fixation of the liquid mixtures has to be solved. The method of choice is to solidify the microemulsion structure via cryofixation. However, given that the phase behaviour as well as the curvature of the amphiphilic film (see Fig. 1.18) and with it the microstructure of most micro emulsions show a strong temperature-dependence it has to be ensured that the cooling rate should be as high (>104 K/s) and the reorganisation kinetics of the microstructure as slow as possible. 

What type of sample collection method are you planning on using, i.e. distillation, direct purge-and-cryofixation ... 

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