A systematic evaluation of cytospinning as a novel technique for the preparation of cells for ToF-SIMS analysis

In this paper we present a study focusing on the preparation of prostate cancer cell (PC-3) nuclei and cervical cancer cells (Hela-M) for ToF-SIMS imaging. We evaluate cytospinning as a novel preparatory technique through comparisons with air drying, freeze drying, and freeze-fracturing protocols and variations thereof. Using image contrast, assessing spectra for the loss, or gain of native and non-native chemistry and relative organic and inorganic ion yields, the investigation provides a systematic evaluation of the features of each preparation technique. From this, cytospinning is shown to be a robust technique for the preparation of biological specimens from suspension. Using this technique, despite inconclusive SEM and SIMS images, it is likely the natural biochemistry and architecture was preserved, enabling accurate chemical localization. Copyright (C) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.