Methods and apparatus for providing biological samples in a vitrified state for static and time-resolved structural investigations using electron or x-ray sources

A method for vitrifying a biological sample, comprising the steps:

• positioning a sample holder with the biological sample by a transfer device in a starting position,
• wherein the sample holder has a base and a pin projecting from the base along a holder axis, and wherein the biological sample is attached to the pin distant from the base;
• adding a liquid to the biological sample in the starting position by a liquid dispenser;
• moving the sample holder with the biological sample by the transfer device along a predetermined transfer path from the starting position to a release position,
• wherein the biological sample is located in or adjacent to a liquefied gas in the release position;
• wherein the transfer path runs along a circular arc.

A vitrification apparatus configured to perform a method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising:

• a container for receiving the liquefied gas;
• a transfer device with a mount for holding the sample holder with the biological sample,
• wherein the transfer device is configured to position the sample holder with the biological sample mounted in the mount in the starting position and to move it along the predetermined transfer path from the starting position to the release position;
• and
• a liquid dispenser for adding the liquid to the biological sample in the starting position.