Quantitative Cryofixation, [Hardcover]

W. B. Bald (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1987 | ISBN-10: 085274448X | ISBN-13: 978-0852744482 | Edition: 1

The process of cryofixation, which is the initial and most critical stage of specimen preparation in low-temperature microscopy, has often been something of a bugbear to the practising microscopist. Successful cryofixation requires that a biological sample should be cooled and frozen as rapidly as possible to prevent ice crystal formation, which would otherwise obscure the underlying cell or tissue structure. It is clear, then, that the ultimate success of the microscopical analysis hinges upon this aspect of specimen preparation, and yet no serious attempt has been made to control the cryofixation procedure more strictly nor to define the process in quantitative terms. The approach adopted in this book is therefore unique. The author begins with a review of the fundamental principles of heat transfer relevant to the freezing process, and uses this as the framework for a fully quantitative analysis of the various techniques of cryopreservation. Although accurate numerical solutions are available for most problems in heat transfer, they give little insight into the relative merits of the differing techniques. The emphasis is therefore placed upon approximate analytical solutions that enable the reader to compare the different freezing methods and to select the one best suited to a particular experiment. The application of these solutions is illustrated by numerous worked examples throughout the text. Complex mathematical formulations have been avoided where possible, so that the mathematics should be within the capabilities of readers who have attained GCE 'A' level standard in the subject. Any practising cryomicroscopist or biologist who has encountered problems with the cryofixation of biological samples will now have recourse to this direct, practical and readable guide, which should establish itself as a standard work in the field. W B Bald is currently head of the Wolfson Unit for Applied Cryobiology within the Institute for Applied Biology at the University of York. He has been active in the field of low-temperature physics since 1967, when he was involved in the design of cryogenic tankage for the Apollo and post-Apollo manned space missions, and has since published over 50 papers on varied aspects of cryogenics and cryobiology.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis; 1 edition (January 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 085274448X
• ISBN-13: 978-0852744482