ASTM E3143-18b(2023) PDF

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 5.1 Cryo-TEM is a technique used to record high resolution images of samples that are frozen and embedded in a thin layer of vitrified, amorphous ice (2-5). Because vitrification occurs so rapidly, the resultant specimen is almost instantly frozen, yielding a very accurate representation of the specimen at the moment of freezing, without the distortions typically associated with air drying delicate wet samples. Once frozen, images of the specimen are recorded at low temperature using a specially designed electron microscope equipped with a cryo-holder capable of operating under low dose conditions in order to prevent beam induced structural damage to the specimen. The cryo-TEM technique is the consensus choice to directly observe, analyze and accurately measure liposomes suspended in aqueous solutions. Fig. 1 illustrates this by comparing an electron micrograph from an air-dried negatively stained liposomal preparation with an electron micrograph of the same solution imaged by cryo-TEM. FIG. 1 Left—An Electron Micrograph of an Air-Dried Liposomal Preparation that has been Negatively Stained with 2 % Uranyl Acetate for Contrast; Right—An Electron Micrograph of the Same Liposomal Preparation Prepared as a Frozen Vitrified Specimen for Cryo-TEM Note 1: Both images are shown to the same scale; scale bar is 200 nm. 5.1.1 Fig. 1 demonstrates that liposomes may become distorted and are difficult to measure and analyze when they are air-dried, while the same liposomal preparation is clearly easier to analyze when the specimen is near-instantly preserved by vitrification. 5.1.2 Cryo-TEM involves applying a small volume of sample to a specially prepared holey, ultra-thin or continuous carbon grid suspended in a cryo-TEM plunger over a cup of liquid ethane cooled in a container filled with liquid nitrogen (2, 3). These grids can be purchased or prepared in the laboratory using a carbon evaporator with glow discharge capabilities. Once the sample has wet the surface o... SCOPE 1.1 This practice covers procedures for vitrifying and recording images of a suspension of liposomes with a cryo-transmission electron microscope (cryo-TEM) for the purpose of evaluating their shape, size distribution and lamellarity for quality assessment. The sample is vitrified in liquid ethane onto specially prepared holey, ultra-thin, or continuous carbon TEM grids, and imaged in a cryo-holder placed in a cryo-TEM. 1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. 1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.