Transmission Electron Microscopy of Lipid Vesicles in Liquid Cells C. M. Brown 1 , K. L. Klein 1,2 , D. V. Krogstad 3 , G. A. Myers 1 , A. A. Herzing 1 1 Materials Measurement Science Division, NIST, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA 2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC 20008, USA 3 Biosystems and Biomaterials Division, NIST, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA Liquid cell transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows promise for enabling nanometer-scale imaging of fluid-hydrated biological material by enclosing specimens within windowed devices [1]. However, the thickness of the liquid cell reduces the signal-to-noise ratios of acquired images, a particular problem for researchers imaging biological specimens. Thus investigators typically image biological specimens labeled with high atomic number materials [2] or with the aid of negative stains [3]. Nevertheless, it is possible to avoid exogenous contrast agents by imaging specimens in thin fluid layers while using energy-filtered methods to reduce collection of inelastically scattered electrons from water and window material. Here, we report on acquisition of liquid cell images of unstained dioleoylglycerophosphatidylcholine (DOPC) lipid vesicles using an energy-filtered TEM (EFTEM) equipped with an imaging energy filter. Liquid cell operating parameters and EFTEM focal conditions that allow for visualization of unstained fluid hydrated vesicles have been determined and will be discussed. 50-nm-thick-windowed SiNx devices were prepared in a clean room environment using high purity solvents followed by a brief plasma clean. DOPC lipid vesicles were synthesized by extruding 1 mg DOPC/750 µL deionized water through a 100 nm pore size track-etch filter, synthesizing uni-lamellar and multi-lamellar vesicles which were 50-150 nm in diameter. 3 µL of vesicle solution was drop cast on the windowed device. A second windowed device with a 150 nm spacer enclosed the sample so that the two windows aligned orthogonally to form a liquid cell. Using a syringe pump, water was pumped at <50 µL/hr through the holder and around the liquid cell and sample to remove any air pockets from the system. Once the holder was introduced into the TEM, the pump flow rate was decreased or stopped, reducing the risk of removing the sample from the windowed region of the cell and minimizing outward bowing of the SiNx windows in vacuum. Bright field, zero-loss EFTEM images were acquire using a field emission TEM operated at 300 kV with a 10-eV wide energy slit and a 5.4 mrad objective aperture. Lipid vesicles were visualized at 72,500× - 120,000× magnification with frame rates ranging from 0.25 to 1 s per frame. Due to the vacuum in the TEM, the SiNx windows of the liquid cell bow outward as previously described [4]. Bowing of the windows was quantified with a mass-thickness image of a liquid cell, as shown in Fig. 1a. Images of vesicles were acquired within <1 µm lateral distance from the corners of the windowed liquid cell. The vesicle concentration in solution ensured samples could be imaged at these locations. EFTEM images of fluid hydrated lipid vesicles were acquired and show a smooth spherical appearance, as shown in Fig. 1b. A focal series of a lipid vesicle was acquired, as shown in Fig. 2. This data shows that contrast in acquired vesicle images increases at significant defocus, similar to typical cryo-TEM imaging conditions. The motion of particles around the vesicle indicates it is fluid hydrated. 1334 doi:10.1017/S143192761400840X Microsc. Microanal. 20 (Suppl 3), 2014 © Microscopy Society of America 2014