Thermo Fisher Vitrobot – Sample Preparation Robot

The Vitrobot is a sample preparation robot that enables the precise and repeatable control of the freezing conditions of protein and microED samples to create vitreous ice conditions. For imaging in the UCSB Glacios transmission electron microscope, the ice thickness must be below 200nm and ideally below 100nm. This robot allows researchers to freeze their samples consistently and control the ice thickness across the grids. The robot allows control of the sample blotting time, blotting force, humidity and temperature. The Vitrobot sample preparation robot is available to all University of California students, staff, and faculty as well as external institutions both private and public. Access is dependent upon completion of hands-on training provided by UCSB CryoEM staff. Access to the facility and staff is managed by our scheduler software.