Aquilos 2 Cryo-FIB

The Aquilos 2 Cryo-FIB has an integrated, fully rotatable cryo-stage, as well as supporting cryo-hardware, which protect the frozen-hydrated samples from contamination, helping to ensure that delicate cryo-samples are kept at vitrified temperatures. Software and hardware automation further enhances sample protection by minimizing manual operation and sample handling. This includes Thermo Scientific AutoTEM Cryo Software, which facilitates automated batch milling of cryo-lamellas, as well as the optional Thermo Scientific EasyLift NanoManipulator, which allows site-specific extraction of lamellae from bulk frozen samples.

Yes, automated sample preparation with the Aquilos 2 Cryo-TEM is enabled by a range of software and hardware advancements. AutoTEM Cryo Software is used to automate batch milling of cryo-lamellae by selecting multiple points of interest and then automatically preparing several lamellae autonomously in unattended runs; this can even be performed overnight. Thermo Scientific AutoScript Software goes even further, allowing you to create your own lamella manufacturing and imaging scripts through advanced programming and scripting interfaces. For serial sectioning experiments, Thermo Scientific Auto Slice & View (AS&V) Software supports 3D imaging through automated, sequential milling and imaging of cross-sectioned sample areas. With AS&V Software, you can also preview subcellular regions of a vitrified cell before detailed ultrastructural imaging with higher resolution cryo-TEM.

An integrated sputter coater within the Aquilos 2 Cryo-FIB chamber can be used to automatically deposit a nanometer-thin conductive platinum layer onto the milled cryo-lamellae, which prevents sample charging during cryo-tomography. Having an integrated coater means that the vitrified sample does not need to be transferred to an external sputter coating device prior to imaging in a cryo-TEM.

The Thermo Scientific Integrative Fluorescence Light Microscope (iFLM) Correlative System combines the milling capability of the Aquilos 2 Cryo-FIB with correlated fluorescence imaging, allowing you to precisely target fluorescently labeled regions within a cryogenically frozen sample. This can be used before and after cryo-lamella preparation, first to target regions for FIB milling, and then to check that the resulting lamellae contain your sample of interest. This is particularly useful in combination with AutoTEM Cryo Software, which can produce several lamellae on a single EM grid.

The Aquilos 2 Cryo-FIB offers dedicated software guidance, as well as easy-to-use setup and alignment procedures. This means that even new users can quickly familiarize themselves with the instrument, allowing them to rapidly get up to speed on cryo-EM sample preparation and lamella milling workflows.