Thermo Fisher Scientific<\/a>, Eindhoven, Netherlands<\/p>\n\n\n\nPlasma focused ion beam (PFIB) technologies are transforming life science research by enabling high-throughput, high-fidelity sample preparation and volumetric imaging across both cryogenic and ambient conditions. This workshop highlights the capabilities and impact of Thermo Scientific\u2122 PFIB platforms\u2014Hydra Bio\u2122 and Arctis\u2122\u2014in supporting advanced workflows for structural and cellular biology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PFIB systems employ multi-ion plasma sources (Xe, Ar, O, N) to achieve enhanced sputter rates, improved surface quality, and reduced implantation artifacts relative to gallium-based FIB, enabling efficient processing of large biological volumes and preparation of high-quality cryo-lamellae. The Hydra Bio PFIB extends these capabilities across a broad experimental space, supporting both cryogenic and room-temperature workflows. Its adaptive automation framework, including adaptive scanning, enables spatially selective dose management and optimized acquisition strategies. Combined with batch processing and large-area milling approaches such as spin milling, this facilitates uniform material removal at shallow incidence angles, particularly beneficial for resin-embedded specimens, enabling high-resolution volumetric imaging and reproducible targeting across extended fields of view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET), the Arctis Cryo-PFIB is optimized for automated, high-throughput lamella fabrication under stable cryogenic conditions. Integrated fluorescence microscopy enables correlative targeting within vitrified cells, while direct connectivity to cryo-TEM via the Autoloader system supports contamination-minimized, end-to-end transfer. Advanced automation and remote operation enable reproducible, unattended lamella preparation, supporting consistent lamella thickness and quality at scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PFIB technologies offer significant advantages over conventional gallium-based systems, including higher milling efficiency, reduced ion implantation, and improved surface integrity, particularly for thick, heterogeneous, and beam-sensitive biological specimens. These capabilities enable reliable preparation of electron-transparent lamellae and large-volume datasets while preserving ultrastructural context. The flexibility of PFIB across imaging modalities and sample conditions provides a robust platform for high-resolution, multiscale life science investigations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Meltem Sezen Ozkoc, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Eindhoven, Netherlands Plasma focused ion beam (PFIB) technologies are transforming life science research by enabling high-throughput, high-fidelity sample preparation and volumetric imaging across both cryogenic and ambient conditions. This workshop…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"embl_taxonomy":[],"class_list":["post-76183","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"embl_taxonomy_terms":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/76183","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=76183"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/76183\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":76959,"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/76183\/revisions\/76959"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=76183"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"embl_taxonomy","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/embl_taxonomy?post=76183"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}