Vitrification as Easy as 1, 2, 3
With the Vitrobot Mark IV, all essential vitrification parameters, such as temperature, the number of blottings, blotting pressure, and drain time can be programmed for each individual application and set for automatic retrieval. In fact, once the proper specimen-specific freezing parameters are set, the plunge-freezing session can be performed almost fully automatically and reproducibly. Additionally, the liquid coolant container—with anti-contamination ring—minimizes the contamination risk during the grid transfer while the optimally isolated container ensures better temperature conditions and a lower consumption rate of the liquid coolant. Finally, the grid transfer from the vitrification medium toward the grid storage box has been largely automated in order to further facilitate the sample throughput and vitrification quality.
Vitrobot History
The primary idea for an automated plunge-freezing device for aqueous suspensions came from Dr. Peter Frederik and Mr. Paul Bomans of the University of Maastricht. Together with IDEE/Maastricht Instruments, they worked almost six years to develop and build the Vitrobot.
On May 8, 2002, FEI Company signed a contract with the University of Maastricht and IDEE/Maastricht Instruments, giving FEI the exclusive rights to sell the Vitrobot worldwide as an official FEI product.
AIM Company BV, in Brunssum, The Netherlands is the third partner in the Vitrobot conglomerate that is responsible for the assembly and production of the instrument.