Instruments
- Krios User Agreement
- Arctica User Agreement
- Sphera User Agreement
- Wet Lab User Agreement
- Vitrobot & Manual Plunge Freezer User Agreement
The Vitrobot and the manual plunger are a semi-automated and a manual variant machine for cryo-TEM sample vitrification. The devices perform the cryo-fixation process on TEM grids at constant physical and mechanical conditions utilizing liquid ethane and liquid nitrogen. The Vitrobot's controlled environmental technology prevents cooling and concentration of artifacts that are inevitable in other freezing protocols. The transfer from the vitrification medium into the liquid nitrogen atmosphere has been automated, ensuring consistent sample quality at high sample throughput. The manual plunger is located in a cooled, humidity controlled environment. Reservations of this equipment includes free use of the Gatan Solarus Plasma Cleaner for preparation of the TEM grid surface prior to vitrification.
Prerequisites for independent use of the Vitrobot or Manual Plunge Freezer requires completion of the following training path or demonstrated proficiency:
**Collaborative use time on Vitrobot and manual plunge is scheduled on a case by case basis under special circumstances. This equipment is intended as educational instrument and for supervised and independent users. The UCSD CryoEM facility staff does not typically perform fee for service work on this microscope.