Standard Vitrobot™ Blotting Filter Paper
The Essential Vitrification Consumable: High-purity Vitrobot blotting paper manufactured from grade 595 cellulose. Designed for the Thermo Fisher Vitrobot Mark IV, these 55mm discs provide consistent excess liquid removal for optimal ice thickness control during cryo-EM grid blotting.
Sold in Packs of 100 Sheets
Optimized for Cryo-EM Vitrification
Achieving the perfect vitreous ice layer is the most critical step in single particle cryo-EM. Our Vitrobot filter paper is manufactured to strict grade 595 specifications, ensuring uniform absorbency and thickness. This consistency is vital for reproducible blot force optimization and accurate blot time parameters on the automated plunge freezer.
Unlike standard lab wipes, this specialized vitrification filter paper has no loose fibers that could contaminate your grid. It is designed to wick away excess liquid rapidly, leaving a thin aqueous film suitable for protein sample vitrification and cryo-electron tomography.
Compatibility & Specifications
This product is a direct replacement for FEI Vitrobot Mark IV filter paper. The precise geometry (55mm outer diameter, 20mm central hole) fits perfectly onto the Vitrobot's blotting pads, preventing slippage during the multiple blotting rounds often required for complex samples.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Material | Pure Cellulose (Grade 595) |
| Outer Diameter | 55 mm |
| Inner Diameter | 20 mm |
| Thickness | Standard (~0.16mm) |
| Pack Size | 100 Discs / Pack |
| Compatibility | Thermo Fisher Scientific Vitrobot Mark IV |
Also Available: Leica EM GP Blotting Paper
We also stock 55mm filter paper with a 15mm center hole, specifically designed as Leica EM GP blotting paper. Please specify your instrument model when ordering to ensure you receive the correct grid preparation consumables.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What grade of filter paper is this?
This is Grade 595 blotting paper, which is the industry standard for Vitrobot consumables. It offers medium-fast filtration and high wet strength, ideal for wicking excess buffer from TEM grids.
2. Is this compatible with the Vitrobot Mark IV?
Yes, the 55/20mm geometry is specifically designed to fit the blotting pads of the FEI Vitrobot Mark IV automated plunge freezer.
3. How does this affect ice thickness?
The absorbency of the paper directly influences the aqueous film thickness. Using consistent, high-quality filter paper ensures that your programmed blot time and blot force settings yield reproducible ice layers for cryo-EM grid blotting.
4. Can I use this for the Leica EM GP?
The Vitrobot paper has a 20mm center hole. For the Leica EM GP, you typically need the version with a 15mm center hole. We supply both types; please select the correct model for your plunge freezing filter paper needs.
5. Does the paper release fibers?
This is high-quality, hardened qualitative filter paper designed to minimize fiber release, which is crucial to avoid contaminating your cryo-EM grids during the blotting process.
