Automatic sample preparation system EM GP2

TEMfor transmission electron microscopesfor sample preparation

Description
The updated EM GP2 automatic plunge freezer is designed for reproducible vitrification of fluid and ultra‑thin samples on electron microscopy grids. Samples are blotted automatically to remove excess liquid and plunged into liquid ethane; the sequence runs inside a temperature‑ and humidity‑controlled environmental chamber adjustable from +4 °C to +60 °C and up to 99% relative humidity.

User and Sample Safety

• Reproducible preparation workflow for single particle analysis and cryo‑tomography
• Rapid condensing liquefier head to fill the secondary cryogen safely and efficiently
• Fixed secondary cryogen position while only the environmental chamber moves to reduce transfer risks

Sample Safety (environment & transfer)

• Dry nitrogen gas flow inside the chamber to reduce contamination
• Sample storage and transfer in liquid phase using a transfer container with a pre‑cooled grid box
• Customized adapters for safe, optimized transfer from EM GP2 to various cryo‑TEMs

Fluid or Thin Sample Preparation
The EM GP2 uses the bare grid technique to vitrify biological suspensions and industrial emulsions in aqueous or inorganic solvents, enabling preparation of vitrified thin films for cryo‑TEM imaging.

Reproducibility
The system ensures consistent grid preparation through sensor‑controlled blotting and stable secondary cryogen temperature within the protected environmental chamber.

• Sensor blotting for uniform surface coverage
• Stable secondary cryogen temperature for repeatable freezing
• Controlled temperature and humidity to protect the sample before plunge

Reproducible Results Within Minutes
Micrographs obtained with EM GP2 show clear macromolecular features (examples at 20,000× and 39,000×): ice free of exogenous contamination, visible protofilaments and individual subunits in perforated carbon films.

Connectivity
Leica Microsystems integrates EM GP2 into EM sample preparation workflows to protect samples throughout handling and transfer, supporting protected transfer protocols.

Flexibility
EM GP2 can be configured to user needs with multiple blotting modes and environmental parameters:

• Sensor‑controlled blotting
• Automated or manual single, double and multiple blotting cycles
• Temperature and humidity control of the environmental chamber
• Configurable pre‑blot, blot and post‑blot times and positions

Technical specifications

• Model: EM GP2
• Function: automatic plunge freezing of fluid/thin samples on EM grids into liquid ethane after automatic blotting
• Environmental chamber temperature range: +4 °C to +60 °C
• Environmental chamber humidity control: up to 99% RH
• Secondary cryogen: liquid ethane (temperature stability emphasized)
• Rapid condensing liquefier head for filling secondary cryogen
• Dry nitrogen gas flow to reduce contamination
• Sample storage/transfer: transfer container with pre‑cooled grid box; customized adapters for cryo‑TEM transfer
• Blotting: sensor‑controlled; automated or manual single/double/multiple modes; configurable pre‑blot/blot/post‑blot times and positions
• Application: vitrification for cryo‑TEM (single particle analysis, cryo‑tomography) using bare grid technique; suitable for biological suspensions and industrial emulsions