Gatan BioContinuum Imaging Filter for Cryo-EM and Cryo-ET
The new Gatan BioContinuum is an easy-to-use imaging filter for single particle cryo-EM, cryo-tomography and low dose imaging applications. It combines electron optics from Gatan’s Continuum imaging filter with the revolutionary K3 direct detection camera.
Blue Scientific is the official Nordic distributor for Gatan systems for electron microscopes in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. For more information or quotes, please get in touch.
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Gatan BioContinuum
The Gatan BioContinuum imaging filter is the successor to the BioQuantum K3. It streamlines single-particle cryo-EM and cryo-ET, combining technology from Gatan’s cutting-edge systems:
The new system is ideal for low dose, single-particle imaging and research into cellular organisation and ultra-structure. It’s optimised for cryo-EM (cryo-electron microscopy) and cryo-ET (cryo-electron tomography) for research into system function and disease progression at the molecular level.
Features
- Highest DQE available:
- Detect smaller particles.
- Distinguish conformational changes.
- Lower dose cryo-ET.
- Higher resolution for 3D reconstruction.
- Intelligent tuning:
- Fast, streamlined optics alignment with smart algorithms.
- 1,500 full frames per second:
- Acquisition at 3.75 times the speed of the GIF Quantum LS imaging filter.
- 24 megapixel field of view:
- Capture 1.6 times the size of the GIF Quantum LS imaging filter.
- Lowest image distortion:
- Cutting-edge optics from the Continuum to minimise image distortion.
- K3 direct detector maximises the available imaging area.
Clear, Accurate Images
The BioContinuum delivers the highest DQE (Detective Quantum Efficiency) available. Using direct detection together with innovative algorithms, the BioContinuum removes inelastically scattered electrons. This improves the signal-to-noise ratio in thick samples and enables you to see smaller particles more easily.
The next-generation electron optics minimize distortion to deliver the clearest, most accurate images of any energy filter available.
Easy to Use
Achieve excellent results even if you’re new to the technique, with fully automated alignment routines. Filter tuning is fast and easy; With a single click, smart algorithms tune the filter for reproducible results from short- and long-term studies. Automated zero-loss tuning routines make it quicker to fine-tune image alignment.
A guided workflow in the software (Latitude S for single particle cryo-EM) makes it easy to set up experiments and automate multi-region acquisition.
Tracking algorithms take care of specimen motion correction and drift, for improved single-particle imaging and cryo-ET results.
Electron Counting
Individual image electrons are detected and counted in real time, with a maximum frame rate of 1500 full frames per second. In contrast to conventional direct detection, the BioContinuum’s fast capture rate minimises coincidence loss, for the highest resolution, single-electron counted images possible.
This video explains the principle behind electron counting and how it enables the K3 camera to deliver the highest resolution results for single particle cryo-electron microscopy:
Low Dose
With a high frame rate, you can capture high resolution information before the structural integrity of the specimen is damaged by electron beam irradiation. This gives you high resolution images and longer observations, opening up new applications on sensitive materials.
With a typical dose of 10 – 30 e-/Å2, the shorter exposure time enables you to collect the same number of images 3.75 times faster than the GIF Quantum LS imaging filter.
Why is Frame Rate Important?
Frame rate improves motion correction in cryo-electron microscopy. The video below shows the difference between a high frame rate and an exceptionally fast frame rate.
A higher frame rate gives you a clearer, more defined image:
More Information
Blue Scientific is the official distributor for Gatan in Scandinavia and the Nordic region. We’re available to answer all your questions – just get in touch: