Japan Science and Technology Agency

Yoshinori Muranaka

Hiroshi Suzuki

Masatsugu Shimomura

Takahiko Hariyama

Daisuke Ishii

Yasuharu Takaku

Isao Ohta

Satoshi Hirakawa

Hideaki Kawasaki

Provided are a protective agent for electron microscopic observation in a vacuum which can protect a biological sample in a water-containing state, such as a mammal, a plant tissue or a cultured cell, and a single cell in the living state without deforming it even in a vacuum, a kit using the same, methods for observation, diagnosis, evaluation, and quantification of a sample by an electron microscope, and a sample stage to be used for the observation. The protective agent for electron microscopic observation of the present invention contains a a component to impart the survival environment, a saccharide, and an electrolyte.

Protective agent for electron microscopic observation of biological sample in water-containing state, kit for electron microscopic observation, methods for observation, diagnosis, evaluation, and quantification by electron microscope, and sample stage

Provided is a technique for fabricating a novel thin membrane with a starting material such as a biocompatible compound that is not easily processible into a membrane, particularly a technique for fabricating a novel thin membrane of a composition that is gradually polymerized from a membrane surface into the membrane in the cross sectional direction of the membrane, and having, for example, different structures on the front and back of the membrane. The technique includes the steps of preparing a solution of a starting material compound; forming a thin membrane of the solution on a base material surface; and forming the organic polymer thin membrane through a polymerization reaction caused by irradiating the exposed surface of the thin membrane with a plasma or an electron beam.

Organic polymer thin membrane, and method for producing same

Provided is an observation method by an electron microscope, in which a biological sample can be observed as it is alive and a situation that the biological sample is moving can be observed using an electron microscope, and a composition for evaporation suppression under vacuum, a scanning electron microscope, and a transmission electron microscope used in the method. The sample observation method by an electron microscope according to the invention includes applying a composition for evaporation suppression containing at least one kind selected from an amphiphilic compound, oils and fats, and an ionic liquid to the surface of a sample to form a thin film, and covering the sample with the thin film, and displaying an electron microscopic image of the sample, which is covered with the thin film and accommodated in a sample chamber under vacuum, on a display device.

Electron microscopic observation method for observing biological sample in shape as it is, and composition for evaporation suppression under vacuum, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscope used in the method

Growing community of inventors

Shizuoka, Japan

Yoshinori Muranaka