node_title | node_title
Progress in Imaging and Sample Preparation
node_body | node_body
Highlights
- We improved the quality of specimen preparation for imaging providing good contrast for both membrane and chemical synapse identification on whole fly-brain samples.
- We dramatically increased the reliability of FIB-SEM imaging to the point where large samples are routinely imaged without loss.
- Using this more reliable FIB-SEM, we imaged several other samples of biologically interesting regions of increasingly larger size. These include samples including antenna lobes, a sample including portions of the medulla, lobula, and lobular plate, mushroom bodies, and many samples to test new staining and preparation methods.
- We developed the hot-knife technique to allow us to image larger volumes than possible by FIB alone. Current results indicate that comprehensive tracing is still possible when using this technique.
- We acquired and used an Xradia CT unit to test preparation, verify samples, and aid in targeting selected regions within samples.