Abstract: The invention provides methods and devices for preparing frozen vitrified samples for transmission electron microscopy. By reducing the volume of sample from microliter scale to picoliter scale, the requirement for blotting of excess fluid is minimized or eliminated.

Abstract: The invention provides systems or apparatuses for dispensing aqueous materials for electron microscopy (EM). The systems allow dispensing of aqueous materials onto an EM sample grid at individual specimen locations in an ordered array of specimen locations, with each individual specimen location in the array of locations. The systems contain a holder for reversibly receiving an EM sample grid, and a dispenser containing one or more dispensing elements that are configured to discretely dispense one or more aqueous solutions from the dispensing elements onto a plurality of individual specimen locations. The dispenser is able to provide an ordered array of discrete specimen locations discontinuous with one another. In the systems, at least one dispensing element is configured to dispense picoliter volumes of one or more of the aqueous solutions.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and devices for preparing frozen vitrified samples for transmission electron microscopy. By reducing the volume of sample from microliter scale to picoliter scale, the requirement for blotting of excess fluid is minimized or eliminated.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and devices for preparing frozen vitrified samples for transmission electron microscopy. By reducing the volume of sample from microliter scale to picoliter scale, the requirement for blotting of excess fluid is minimized or eliminated.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for preparation of complex specimen arrays for analysis by electron microscopy. These methods and compositions can permit high throughput screening of samples on single EM grid supports using sample volumes in the nanoliter and picoliter range.

Abstract: The invention provides systems or apparatuses for dispensing aqueous materials for electron microscopy (EM). The systems allow dispensing of aqueous materials onto an EM sample grid at individual specimen locations in an ordered array of specimen locations, with each individual specimen location in the array of locations. The systems contain a holder for reversibly receiving an EM sample grid, and a dispenser containing one or more dispensing elements that are configured to discretely dispense one or more aqueous solutions from the dispensing elements onto a plurality of individual specimen locations. The dispenser is able to provide an ordered array of discrete specimen locations discontinuous with one another. In the systems, at least one dispensing element is configured to dispense picoliter volumes of one or more of the aqueous solutions.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for preparation of complex specimen arrays for analysis by electron microscopy. These methods and compositions can permit high throughput screening of samples on single EM grid supports using sample volumes in the nanoliter and picoliter range.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and devices for preparing frozen vitrified samples for transmission electron microscopy. By reducing the volume of sample from microliter scale to picoliter scale, the requirement for blotting of excess fluid is minimized or eliminated.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide methods and compositions for characterizing particles in a size range from about 1 ?m to about 10 nm, and preferably 5 ?m to about 5 nm. Using transmission electron microscopy and digital image processing techniques, the methods of the present invention can provide detailed information on the aggregation state of, for example, proteinaceous samples such as antibody-based pharmaceutical compositions. The methods can further permit assessment of the effect of storage, use, processing, and shipping conditions in such proteinaceous samples.

Abstract: A system for inserting a specimen-containing holder into a microscope has a robotic arm, an end effector, and a control mechanism such as a personal computer. The end effector is attached to an end of the robotic arm and includes a gripper apparatus adapted to grip the holder. The control means is operably connected to the robotic arm and to the gripper apparatus and configured to control the robotic arm and the gripper apparatus such that the gripper apparatus grips the holder, and the robotic arm inserts the gripped holder into the microscope.