Abstract
Ultrastructural observation of biological specimens or nanogranules usually requires the use of electron microscopy. Electron microscopy takes a lot of time, requires many steps, and uses many chemicals, which may affect the native state of biological specimens. A novel microchip (K-kit) was used as a specimen kit for in situ imaging of human platelet granules in an aqueous solution using a transmission electron microscope. This microchip enabled us to observe the native human platelet granules very quickly and easily. The protocols included blood collection, platelet purification, platelet granule isolation, sample loading into this microchip, and then observation by a transmission electron microscope. In addition, these granules could still remain in aqueous solution, and only a very small amount of the sample was required for observation and analysis. We used this microchip to identify the native platelet granules by negative staining. Furthermore, we used this microchip to perform immunoelectron microscopy and successfully label α-granules of platelets with the anti-P-selectin antibody. These results demonstrate that the novel microchip can provide researchers with faster and better choices when using a transmission electron microscope to examine nanogranules of biological specimens in aqueous conditions.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | 4946 |
Journal | Applied Sciences (Switzerland) |
Volume | 10 |
Issue number | 14 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jul 2020 |
Keywords
- Alpha granule
- Microchip
- Platelet
- Transmission electron microscopy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Materials Science
- Instrumentation
- General Engineering
- Process Chemistry and Technology
- Computer Science Applications
- Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes