Abstract: All lenses, whether for light or for electrons, have aberrations that limit their performance. In light optics the invention of the achromat over 200 years ago solved the problem of correcting spherical and chromatic aberrations; however, correcting aberrations of electron lenses remains a challenge. Spherical and chromatic aberrations constitute a fundamental barrier to improving resolution and reducing probe size in various types of electron-optical instruments. Recently, efforts have intensified to reduce probe size in microanalysis and lithography, and to improve resolution in the new emission microscopes being built for synchrotron light sources. The experiments described in this report show how an electron mirror can achieve simultaneous correction of spherical and chromatic aberrations.

Abstract: The theoretical interpretation of lattice resolution in high-angle annular dark-field images produced in a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) has been a subject of controversy. A first-order perturbation theoretical analysis is presented here, which shows that the contrast in the image arises from large-angle multiphonon, incoherent scattering, which is atomic number dependent. The lattice resolution is a consequence of coherently filling the objective aperture, and dynamical elastic diffraction preceding the large-angle multiphonon scattering is not a necessary requirement. Elastic scattering to the higher order Laue zone (HOLZ) is also shown to be negligible, compared with the incoherent scattering. Calculations from application of the theory are also presented. They show that lattice images formed using the high-angle annular dark-field detector are sensitive to atomic number and are relatively insensitive to defocus. Although high-angle annular dark-field lattice imaging appears to be simple, scattering into the high-angle detector can only be approximately described by an incoherent imaging model.

Abstract: A human chromosome pq34 region-specific, microdissected library was constructed by using laser microdissection techniques. This library contains over 10,000 clones with an average insert size of 450 bp. It has greater coverage of the dissected chromosome region as compared with the needle-dissected chromosome 9q34 library. The laser microdissection technique provides more accurate chromosome targeting and easier operation than existing needle microdissection techniques. To simplify the procedure for chromosome microdissection and chromosome fragment collection, a trapping-cutting system was developed. This technique involves the use of two trapping beams which hold a single chromosome in suspension, and a third cutting beam, which dissects the immobilized chromosome. A collection chamber allowing for the fast collection of dissected chromosome fragments needs to be developed. However, DNA can be cloned from trapped chromosome fragments with an insert size comparable to that of both needle-cut and laser-cut chromosomes.

Abstract: We have explored freeze-substitution combined with low-temperature embedding in rat taste buds for postembedding immunocytochemistry. A major difference in taste bud cells that were rapidly frozen without prior chemical fixation and those that were fixed and cryoprotected before freezing was that electron-dense core granules were virtually absent. The antibodies used in these initial studies were directed against calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a peptide commonly found in nociceptive neurons; the α-subunits of two G-proteins involved in bitter and sweet taste transduction; and choline acetyl transferase (ChAT), an enzyme involved in the synthesis of acetylcholine. Anti-CGRP immunolabeled a subpopulation of unmyelinated perigemmal neurons; anti-Gqα labeled a larger subpopulation of these neurons and the microvilli of cells that were most likely from Type II vallate taste buds. α-Gustducin was found in cytoplasm of Type II and/or III cells and probably in microvilli of Type I cells of vallate taste buds. The best labeling results were obtained with anti-ChAT, which stained microvilli and lateral membranes of some Type II vallate taste bud cells, and the cytoplasm of some other Type II and/or III vallate cells. In addition, anti-ChAT labeled electron-opaque materials inside taste bud pores of vallate papillae, but, under the same conditions, not granules of Type I cells or most of the vesicles in von Ebner's glands. These data suggest that we can not assume a priori that the contents of the electron-dense core granules of Type I cells, or even of those of von Ebner's glands, contain the precursors of the taste bud pore–dense substances.