Correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) takes advantage of the superior resolution of electron microscopy together with the ability of light microscopy to localise fluorescently labelled proteins. The combination of these techniques is very powerful, particularly in the investigation of rare, isolated events[1-2]. Recently, an increasing number of equipment vendors have developed proprietary systems which allow for simple and effective correlation between specific types of equipment. However, these proprietary formats are, by their nature, restrictive in the range of equipment that they can be used on and are limiting to the types of sample or investigations that they can support. In a multi-user facility there is a need for a more flexible system which can accommodate the widest possible range of sample types and instruments.
Here we report on our progress in developing a simple but effective correlative system that allows for imaging of samples on a diverse range of instruments. The system consists of a sample holder designed to accommodate the most common samples encountered in our laboratory and to be usable on multiple instruments. Another component is the software that allows for saved positions to be easily relocated on all other platforms, and for images with dissimilar contrast mechanisms to be accurately correlated. The final component is the development of novel particles that can act as fiducial markers for different techniques.
The system that we are developing shows promise in improving throughput for a diverse range of projects within the laboratory.