Abstract
Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) imaging yields molecule-specific images showing the spatial distribution of specific lipids with submicron resolution, making it a potentially powerful method for studying a variety of biological questions in single cells. In order to make possible the analysis of hydrated cells in vacuum, we have designed a device for in situ freeze-fracture of cell samples. PC12 cells are frozen between two silicon shards in a sandwich geometry, and the fracture is conducted under vacuum inside the analysis chamber of the instrument. After freeze-fracture, ToF-SIMS analysis was carried out using a Bi cluster ion source, providing high-resolution images of single cells. We also show that when combining freeze-fracture and cluster SIMS imaging, low abundant biologically important lipids, specifically PE, PC and non-SM PC, can be imaged in single cells. Finally, K+ ion localization was used as a diagnostic to identify fracture planes through the cell for these fractured samples.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 257-260 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Surface and Interface Analysis |
Volume | 43 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2011 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- General Chemistry
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Surfaces and Interfaces
- Surfaces, Coatings and Films
- Materials Chemistry