NanoSuit® Aqueous Solution for SEM
Forms a thin, conductive, moisture barrier between specimens and a vacuum environment
Taking electron microscope images of biological objects in their natural state
What is the NanoSuit®
- A novel technology which enables us to observe cells, microorganisms, etc. in a living state using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
- NanoSuit forms a very thin barrier layer on the surface of an object and the barrier layer holds moisture in the object under vacuum condition in electron microscopy. Also, the barrier layer is electrically conductive.
- Therefore, NanoSuit makes it possible to observe biological objects with their natural image texture.
- NanoSuit is very easy to use. Only dropping the NanoSuit solution onto the objects, then you can observe the objects using SEM. (You don't need any other fixation procedures.)
History
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Inventor Professor Takahiko Hariyama tried to observe various microorganisms using SEM, but almost all organisms died due to losing moisture under the vacuum condition in the electron microscopy.
However, he discovered a kind of fly larva was able to keep alive under the vacuum condition.
Prof. Hariyama investigated that phenomenon and revealed that a very thin barrier layer was formed on the surface of the larva by electron beam irradiation. The barrier layer held moisture and kept the larva alive.
Hariyama and his colleagues had tried to mimic this phenomenon artificially and invented "NanoSuit" technology.
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Science
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The "NanoSuit"
- Aqueous solution of the biocompatible polymer. (biologically safe material)
- Just drop onto the objects.
- Polymerize by electron beam or plasma irradiation, then a thin barrier layer is formed on the surface of the objects.
- The barrier layer holds moisture contained in the objects and its conductivity provides clear SEM images.
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Example (flower petal)
Under the vacuum condition, the petals are dried and do not retain the original shape.
| NanoSuit keeps the petal moist under the vacuum condition and provides natural shape images of the fine structure of the petal surface. |
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Example (insect)
| With NanoSuit, you can observe the minute structure of the insect's body surface with a simple operation. |
Example (living tissues)
| Nanosuit keeps the texture of living cells and enables to distinguish between cancer tissue and normal tissue. |
Example (chicken drumsticks)
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The surface of the chicken drumsticks (Fresh) is protected by NanoSuit solution and observed by FE-SEM with high resolution shows fibrous microstructures of uniform size.
On the other hand, in (Freeze-thaw) examined by the same method, it was observed that the fine structure of the surface was broken and liquid substances were seeping out to the surface.
These images suggest that such a difference in surface condition may be the cause of the dry feeling of the thawed food.
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References
Kawasaki, H., Itoh, T., Takaku, Y. et al. The NanoSuit method: a novel histological approach for examining paraffin sections in a nondestructive manner by correlative light and electron microscopy. Lab Invest 100, 161-173 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41374-019-0309-7
Shinmura K, Kawasaki H, Baba S, et al. Utility of Scanning Electron Microscopy Elemental Analysis Using the 'NanoSuit' Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy Method in the Diagnosis of Lanthanum Phosphate Deposition in the Esophagogastroduodenal Mucosa. Diagnostics (Basel). 2019;10(1):1. Published 2019 Dec 18. doi:10.3390/diagnostics10010001
Takaku Yasuharu, Suzuki Hiroshi, Kawasaki Hideya, Ohta Isao, Ishii Daisuke, Hirakawa Satoshi, Tsutsui Takami, Matsumoto Haruko, Takehara Sayuri, Nakane Chinatsu, Sakaida Kana, Suzuki Chiaki, Muranaka Yoshinori, Kikuchi Hirotoshi, Konno Hiroyuki, Shimomura Masatsugu and Hariyama Takahiko 2017A modified 'NanoSuit®' preserves wet samples in high vacuum: direct observations on cells and tissues in field-emission scanning electron microscopyR. Soc. open sci.4160887.
NanoSuit Solution Types I, II and III
NanoSuit Solution is available in three types. Refer to the chart below to select the formulation which suits your application. See the top of this page for Technical Data Sheets relating to the protocols suggested for using NanoSuit in the lab.
Storage Conditions
| Short Term: |
Refrigerator, 4°C |
| Long Term: |
Frozen, -10°C |