A NEW TECHNIQUE FOR PREPARING BIOMINERALS FOR ATOMIC-FORCE MICROSCOPY

We describe a methodology that enables the orienting and cleaving of b iominerals to consistently yield low z-axis (height) surfaces suitable for high-resolution imaging by atomic-force microscopy. The methodolo gy permits biominerals to be prepared without chemical fixation, resin embedding, or sectioning, and demonstrates a utility for a variety of silicified and calcified biominerals.