zlacker

>>geox+(OP)
> cut the sample into around 5,000 slices — each just 34 nanometres thick — that could be imaged using electron microscopes.

Does anyone have any insight into how this is done without damaging the sample?

>>eminen+k5
The sample is stained (to make thigns visible), then embedded in a resin, then cut with a very sharp diamond knife and the slices are captured by the tape reel.

Paper: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.05.29.446289v4 See Figure 1.

The ATUM is described in more detail here https://www.eden-instruments.com/en/ex-situ-equipments/rmc-e...

and there's a bunch of nice photos and explanations here https://www.wormatlas.org/EMmethods/ATUM.htm

TL;DR this project is reaping all the benefits of the 21st century.