Superior cryo-fixation quality

Currently cryo-fixation is the only way to fix cellular constituents without introducing noteworthy structural alterations.

• No alcohol in the chamber leads to a faster pressure increase and immediate cooling of the specimen
• No alcohol residue on the carrier or the specimen
• Precisely define the timing for light and electrical stimulation

Electrical Stimulation

To resolve controversial questions in neurobiology, it is essential to employ new techniques for visualizing cellular activity.

The EM ICE solution offers electrical stimulation of neurons with millisecond precision and complete coordination of electrical discharge at the moment of freezing

It gives neurobiologists the most reliable tool for capturing and imaging action potential and membrane trafficking events.

Light stimulation

Synchronizing light stimulation and high-pressure freezing enable you to visualize in photosensitive specimens:

• Highly dynamic processes and
• Structural changes

With nanometer resolution and millisecond precision. This innovation opens up new possibilities for life science researchers.

With the EM ICE solution you can:

• Apply light stimulation to any light-sensitive compounds
• Photoactivate various biological specimens
• The study, beyond the limits of current understanding, highly dynamic processes, such as neurotransmission at synapses
• Benefit from light stimulation, including the precise correlation between the light pulses and the moment of freezing
• Add with one click any of the 5 different LED light modules to the instrument. Each module is automatically recognized by the software and recorded in the log file.

Focus on your sample

You can load the sample in the EM ICE solution with one move.

Then, when you close the cover of the loading station, you trigger the perfectly aligned sequence of the cartridge assembly and freezing process.

No additional actions are needed, as the loading and freezing process is fully automated.

The specimen goes from fresh to frozen in 1 second!

Efficiency

You can complete your workflow fast with the EM ICE solution.

Recovery between freezing cycles is only one minute – so no waiting is necessary.

The sample storage Dewar has been refilled automatically with liquid nitrogen (LN2) – no maintenance is necessary. It enables you to:

• Use 3 positions with a capacity to hold up to 3 different specimens
• Perform up to 9 consecutive freezing cycles
• Choose the number of specimens per position with programmed rotation and differentiation between specimens and conditions

Flexible

The Leica EM ICE gives you the flexibility you need for your research.

• Choose the type of environmental control (loading station or table and chamber temperature control)
• Retrofit the instrument with light stimulation mode at any time
• Upgrade to environmental control (table heating and/or environmental chamber) whenever you need it

All upgrades (light stimulation module and environmental settings) can be performed directly in your lab by the Leica Service Team. There is no need to return the instrument to the factory.