Bal-Tec HPM010 High Pressure Freezer

University Of Utah, Salt Lake City UT

Investigators

Abstract

This award provides partial support for purchase of a device used for rapid freezing of samples for electron microscopy. Following fixation at low temperature, cells preserved through use of high pressure freezing have improved ultrastructure and are suitable for immunocytochemistry. Use of high pressure permits the freezing of thicker samples than alternative procedures, and is thus useful for reliable freezing of whole organisms with cuticles, such as nematodes and flies, and for freezing of yeast and plant cells that have thick cell walls. The instrument will be used for study of synaptic ultrastructure in nematode mutants, protein localization at membranes of muscles and neurons, ultrastructure of yeast mitochondria, and developmental defects in plant mutants. The equipment will be housed in an imaging facility at the University of Utah where it will be available for other research and training use by students and faculty from the University and from throughout the Great Basin area.