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Kolotuev I. Work smart, not hard: How array tomography can help increase the ultrastructure data output. J Microsc 2024; 295:42-60. [PMID: 37626455 DOI: 10.1111/jmi.13217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Transmission electron microscopy has been essential for understanding cell biology for over six decades. Volume electron microscopy tools, such as serial block face and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy acquisition, brought a new era to ultrastructure analysis. 'Array Tomography' (AT) refers to sequential image acquisition of resin-embedded sample sections on a large support (coverslip, glass slide, silicon wafers) for immunolabelling with multiple fluorescent labels, occasionally combined with ultrastructure observation. Subsequently, the term was applied to generating and imaging a series of sections to acquire a 3D representation of a structure using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Although this is a valuable application, the potential of AT is to facilitate many tasks that are difficult or even impossible to obtain by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Due to the straightforward nature and versatility of AT sample preparation and image acquisition, the technique can be applied practically to any biological sample for selected sections or volume electron microscopy analysis. Furthermore, in addition to the benefits described here, AT is compatible with morphological analysis, multiplex immunolabelling, immune-gold labelling, and correlative light and electron microscopy workflow applicable for single cells, tissue and small organisms. This versatility makes AT attractive not only for basic research but as a diagnostic tool with a simplified routine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Kolotuev
- Electron Microscopy Facility, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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2
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Son R, Yamazawa K, Oguchi A, Suga M, Tamura M, Yanagita M, Murakawa Y, Kume S. Morphomics via next-generation electron microscopy. J Mol Cell Biol 2024; 15:mjad081. [PMID: 38148118 PMCID: PMC11167312 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjad081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The living body is composed of innumerable fine and complex structures. Although these structures have been studied in the past, a vast amount of information pertaining to them still remains unknown. When attempting to observe these ultra-structures, the use of electron microscopy (EM) has become indispensable. However, conventional EM settings are limited to a narrow tissue area, which can bias observations. Recently, new trends in EM research have emerged, enabling coverage of far broader, nano-scale fields of view for two-dimensional wide areas and three-dimensional large volumes. Moreover, cutting-edge bioimage informatics conducted via deep learning has accelerated the quantification of complex morphological bioimages. Taken together, these technological and analytical advances have led to the comprehensive acquisition and quantification of cellular morphology, which now arises as a new omics science termed 'morphomics'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raku Son
- RIKEN-IFOM Joint Laboratory for Cancer Genomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
- Department of Nephrology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Kenji Yamazawa
- Advanced Manufacturing Support Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics, Wako 351-0198, Japan
| | - Akiko Oguchi
- RIKEN-IFOM Joint Laboratory for Cancer Genomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
- Department of Nephrology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Suga
- Multimodal Microstructure Analysis Unit, RIKEN–JEOL Collaboration Center, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | - Masaru Tamura
- Technology and Development Team for Mouse Phenotype Analysis, RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba 305-0074, Japan
| | - Motoko Yanagita
- Department of Nephrology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Murakawa
- RIKEN-IFOM Joint Laboratory for Cancer Genomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
- IFOM—The FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan 20139, Italy
| | - Satoshi Kume
- Laboratory for Pathophysiological and Health Science, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
- Center for Health Science Innovation, Osaka City University, Osaka 530-0011, Japan
- Osaka Electro-Communication University, Neyagawa 572-8530, Japan
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3
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Micheva KD, Burden JJ, Schifferer M. Array tomography: trails to discovery. METHODS IN MICROSCOPY 2024; 1:9-17. [PMID: 39119254 PMCID: PMC11308915 DOI: 10.1515/mim-2024-0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Tissue slicing is at the core of many approaches to studying biological structures. Among the modern volume electron microscopy (vEM) methods, array tomography (AT) is based on serial ultramicrotomy, section collection onto solid support, imaging via light and/or scanning electron microscopy, and re-assembly of the serial images into a volume for analysis. While AT largely uses standard EM equipment, it provides several advantages, including long-term preservation of the sample and compatibility with multi-scale and multi-modal imaging. Furthermore, the collection of serial ultrathin sections improves axial resolution and provides access for molecular labeling, which is beneficial for light microscopy and immunolabeling, and facilitates correlation with EM. Despite these benefits, AT techniques are underrepresented in imaging facilities and labs, due to their perceived difficulty and lack of training opportunities. Here we point towards novel developments in serial sectioning and image analysis that facilitate the AT pipeline, and solutions to overcome constraints. Because no single vEM technique can serve all needs regarding field of view and resolution, we sketch a decision tree to aid researchers in navigating the plethora of options available. Lastly, we elaborate on the unexplored potential of AT approaches to add valuable insight in diverse biological fields.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Martina Schifferer
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster of Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
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White IJ, Burden JJ. A practical guide to starting SEM array tomography-An accessible volume EM technique. Methods Cell Biol 2023; 177:171-196. [PMID: 37451766 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2022.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
The techniques collectively known as volume electron microscopy (vEM) each come with their own advantages and challenges, making them more or less suitable for any specific project. SEM array tomography (SEM-AT) is certainly no different in this respect. Requiring microtomy skills, and involving more data alignment post imaging, SEM-AT presents challenges to its users, nevertheless, as perhaps the most flexible, cost effective and potentially accessible vEM approach to regular EM facilities, it benefits those same users with multiple advantages due to its inherently non-destructive nature. The general principles and advantages/disadvantages of SEM-AT are described here, together with a step-by-step guide to the workflow, from block trimming, sectioning and collection on coverslips, to alignment of the high-resolution 3D dataset. With a suitable SEM/backscatter electron detector setup, and equipment readily found in an electron microscopy lab, it should be possible to begin to acquire 3D ultrastructural data. With the addition of appropriate SEM-AT imaging software, this process can be significantly enhanced to automatically image hundreds, potentially thousands, of sections. Hardware and software advances and future improvements will only make this easier, to the extent that SEM-AT could become a routine vEM technique throughout the world, rather than the privilege of a small number of experts in limited specialist facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian J White
- LMCB, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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5
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Kievits AJ, Lane R, Carroll EC, Hoogenboom JP. How innovations in methodology offer new prospects for volume electron microscopy. J Microsc 2022; 287:114-137. [PMID: 35810393 PMCID: PMC9546337 DOI: 10.1111/jmi.13134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Detailed knowledge of biological structure has been key in understanding biology at several levels of organisation, from organs to cells and proteins. Volume electron microscopy (volume EM) provides high resolution 3D structural information about tissues on the nanometre scale. However, the throughput rate of conventional electron microscopes has limited the volume size and number of samples that can be imaged. Recent improvements in methodology are currently driving a revolution in volume EM, making possible the structural imaging of whole organs and small organisms. In turn, these recent developments in image acquisition have created or stressed bottlenecks in other parts of the pipeline, like sample preparation, image analysis and data management. While the progress in image analysis is stunning due to the advent of automatic segmentation and server-based annotation tools, several challenges remain. Here we discuss recent trends in volume EM, emerging methods for increasing throughput and implications for sample preparation, image analysis and data management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arent J. Kievits
- Department of Imaging PhysicsDelft University of TechnologyDelftThe Netherlands
| | - Ryan Lane
- Department of Imaging PhysicsDelft University of TechnologyDelftThe Netherlands
| | | | - Jacob P. Hoogenboom
- Department of Imaging PhysicsDelft University of TechnologyDelftThe Netherlands
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Peddie CJ, Genoud C, Kreshuk A, Meechan K, Micheva KD, Narayan K, Pape C, Parton RG, Schieber NL, Schwab Y, Titze B, Verkade P, Aubrey A, Collinson LM. Volume electron microscopy. NATURE REVIEWS. METHODS PRIMERS 2022; 2:51. [PMID: 37409324 PMCID: PMC7614724 DOI: 10.1038/s43586-022-00131-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Life exists in three dimensions, but until the turn of the century most electron microscopy methods provided only 2D image data. Recently, electron microscopy techniques capable of delving deep into the structure of cells and tissues have emerged, collectively called volume electron microscopy (vEM). Developments in vEM have been dubbed a quiet revolution as the field evolved from established transmission and scanning electron microscopy techniques, so early publications largely focused on the bioscience applications rather than the underlying technological breakthroughs. However, with an explosion in the uptake of vEM across the biosciences and fast-paced advances in volume, resolution, throughput and ease of use, it is timely to introduce the field to new audiences. In this Primer, we introduce the different vEM imaging modalities, the specialized sample processing and image analysis pipelines that accompany each modality and the types of information revealed in the data. We showcase key applications in the biosciences where vEM has helped make breakthrough discoveries and consider limitations and future directions. We aim to show new users how vEM can support discovery science in their own research fields and inspire broader uptake of the technology, finally allowing its full adoption into mainstream biological imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J. Peddie
- Electron Microscopy Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Christel Genoud
- Electron Microscopy Facility, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anna Kreshuk
- Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kimberly Meechan
- Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
- Present address: Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kristina D. Micheva
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Kedar Narayan
- Center for Molecular Microscopy, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Constantin Pape
- Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Robert G. Parton
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nicole L. Schieber
- Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Yannick Schwab
- Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit/ Electron Microscopy Core Facility, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Paul Verkade
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Aubrey Aubrey
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA
| | - Lucy M. Collinson
- Electron Microscopy Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
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Koga D, Kusumi S, Shibata M, Watanabe T. Applications of Scanning Electron Microscopy Using Secondary and Backscattered Electron Signals in Neural Structure. Front Neuroanat 2021; 15:759804. [PMID: 34955763 PMCID: PMC8693767 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2021.759804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has contributed to elucidating the ultrastructure of bio-specimens in three dimensions. SEM imagery detects several kinds of signals, of which secondary electrons (SEs) and backscattered electrons (BSEs) are the main electrons used in biological and biomedical research. SE and BSE signals provide a three-dimensional (3D) surface topography and information on the composition of specimens, respectively. Among the various sample preparation techniques for SE-mode SEM, the osmium maceration method is the only approach for examining the subcellular structure that does not require any reconstruction processes. The 3D ultrastructure of organelles, such as the Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum has been uncovered using high-resolution SEM of osmium-macerated tissues. Recent instrumental advances in scanning electron microscopes have broadened the applications of SEM for examining bio-specimens and enabled imaging of resin-embedded tissue blocks and sections using BSE-mode SEM under low-accelerating voltages; such techniques are fundamental to the 3D-SEM methods that are now known as focused ion-beam SEM, serial block-face SEM, and array tomography (i.e., serial section SEM). This technical breakthrough has allowed us to establish an innovative BSE imaging technique called section-face imaging to acquire ultrathin information from resin-embedded tissue sections. In contrast, serial section SEM is a modern 3D imaging technique for creating 3D surface rendering models of cells and organelles from tomographic BSE images of consecutive ultrathin sections embedded in resin. In this article, we introduce our related SEM techniques that use SE and BSE signals, such as the osmium maceration method, semithin section SEM (section-face imaging of resin-embedded semithin sections), section-face imaging for correlative light and SEM, and serial section SEM, to summarize their applications to neural structure and discuss the future possibilities and directions for these methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Koga
- Department of Microscopic Anatomy and Cell Biology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kusumi
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Masahiro Shibata
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Watanabe
- Department of Microscopic Anatomy and Cell Biology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
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8
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Lewczuk B, Szyryńska N. Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscope as a Tool for Large-Area and Large-Volume Ultrastructural Studies. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11123390. [PMID: 34944167 PMCID: PMC8698110 DOI: 10.3390/ani11123390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Ultrastructural studies of cells and tissues are usually performed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which enables imaging at the highest possible resolution. The weak point of TEM is the limited ability to analyze the ultrastructure of large areas and volumes of biological samples. This limitation can be overcome by using modern field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) with high-sensitivity detection, which enables the creation of TEM-like images from the flat surfaces of resin-embedded biological specimens. Several FE-SEM-based techniques for two- and three-dimensional ultrastructural studies of cells, tissues, organs, and organisms have been developed in the 21st century. These techniques have created a new era in structural biology and have changed the role of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) in biological and medical laboratories. Since the premiere of the first commercially available SEM in 1965, these instruments were used almost exclusively to obtain topographical information over a large range of magnifications. Currently, FE-SEM offers many attractive possibilities in the studies of cell and tissue ultrastructure, and they are presented in this review. Abstract The development of field-emission scanning electron microscopes for high-resolution imaging at very low acceleration voltages and equipped with highly sensitive detectors of backscattered electrons (BSE) has enabled transmission electron microscopy (TEM)-like imaging of the cut surfaces of tissue blocks, which are impermeable to the electron beam, or tissue sections mounted on the solid substrates. This has resulted in the development of methods that simplify and accelerate ultrastructural studies of large areas and volumes of biological samples. This article provides an overview of these methods, including their advantages and disadvantages. The imaging of large sample areas can be performed using two methods based on the detection of transmitted electrons or BSE. Effective imaging using BSE requires special fixation and en bloc contrasting of samples. BSE imaging has resulted in the development of volume imaging techniques, including array tomography (AT) and serial block-face imaging (SBF-SEM). In AT, serial ultrathin sections are collected manually on a solid substrate such as a glass and silicon wafer or automatically on a tape using a special ultramicrotome. The imaging of serial sections is used to obtain three-dimensional (3D) information. SBF-SEM is based on removing the top layer of a resin-embedded sample using an ultramicrotome inside the SEM specimen chamber and then imaging the exposed surface with a BSE detector. The steps of cutting and imaging the resin block are repeated hundreds or thousands of times to obtain a z-stack for 3D analyses.
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Liu Z, Gao J, Cui Y, Klumpe S, Xiang Y, Erdmann PS, Jiang L. Membrane imaging in the plant endomembrane system. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 185:562-576. [PMID: 33793889 PMCID: PMC8133680 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiaa040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies on membrane imaging in the plant endomembrane system by 2-D/3-D CLSM and TEM provide future perspectives of whole-cell ET and cryo-FIB-aided cryo-ET analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Centre for Cell and Developmental Biology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Jiayang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Centre for Cell and Developmental Biology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Yong Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Centre for Cell and Developmental Biology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Sven Klumpe
- Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Yun Xiang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Philipp S Erdmann
- Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Liwen Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Centre for Cell and Developmental Biology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
- CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518057, China
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10
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Du M, Di Z(W, Gürsoy D, Xian RP, Kozorovitskiy Y, Jacobsen C. Upscaling X-ray nanoimaging to macroscopic specimens. J Appl Crystallogr 2021; 54:386-401. [PMID: 33953650 PMCID: PMC8056767 DOI: 10.1107/s1600576721000194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Upscaling X-ray nanoimaging to macroscopic specimens has the potential for providing insights across multiple length scales, but its feasibility has long been an open question. By combining the imaging requirements and existing proof-of-principle examples in large-specimen preparation, data acquisition and reconstruction algorithms, the authors provide imaging time estimates for howX-ray nanoimaging can be scaled to macroscopic specimens. To arrive at this estimate, a phase contrast imaging model that includes plural scattering effects is used to calculate the required exposure and corresponding radiation dose. The coherent X-ray flux anticipated from upcoming diffraction-limited light sources is then considered. This imaging time estimation is in particular applied to the case of the connectomes of whole mouse brains. To image the connectome of the whole mouse brain, electron microscopy connectomics might require years, whereas optimized X-ray microscopy connectomics could reduce this to one week. Furthermore, this analysis points to challenges that need to be overcome (such as increased X-ray detector frame rate) and opportunities that advances in artificial-intelligence-based 'smart' scanning might provide. While the technical advances required are daunting, it is shown that X-ray microscopy is indeed potentially applicable to nanoimaging of millimetre- or even centimetre-size specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Du
- Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA
| | - Zichao (Wendy) Di
- Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA
- Mathematics and Computer Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA
| | - Doǧa Gürsoy
- Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - R. Patrick Xian
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Yevgenia Kozorovitskiy
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Chris Jacobsen
- Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
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Abstract
Since its entry into biomedical research in the first half of the twentieth century, electron microscopy has been a valuable tool for lung researchers to explore the lung's delicate ultrastructure. Among others, it proved the existence of a continuous alveolar epithelium and demonstrated the surfactant lining layer. With the establishment of serial sectioning transmission electron microscopy, as the first "volume electron microscopic" technique, electron microscopy entered the third dimension and investigations of the lung's three-dimensional ultrastructure became possible. Over the years, further techniques, ranging from electron tomography over serial block-face and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy to array tomography became available. All techniques cover different volumes and resolutions, and, thus, different scientific questions. This review gives an overview of these techniques and their application in lung research, focusing on their fields of application and practical implementation. Furthermore, an introduction is given how the output raw data are processed and the final three-dimensional models can be generated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Philipp Schneider
- Institute of Functional and Applied Anatomy, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jan Hegermann
- Institute of Functional and Applied Anatomy, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Research Core Unit Electron Microscopy, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Christoph Wrede
- Institute of Functional and Applied Anatomy, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Research Core Unit Electron Microscopy, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
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12
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Cheng D, Morsch M, Shami GJ, Chung RS, Braet F. Observation and characterisation of macrophages in zebrafish liver. Micron 2020; 132:102851. [PMID: 32092694 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2020.102851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Kupffer cells are liver-resident macrophages that play an important role in mediating immune-related functions in mammals and humans. They are well-known for their capacity to phagocytose large amounts of waste complexes, cell debris, microbial particles and even malignant cells. Location, appearance and functional aspects are important features used to identify these characteristic cells of the liver sinusoid. To-date, there is limited information on the occurrence of macrophages in zebrafish liver. Therefore, we aimed to characterise the ultrastructural and functional aspects of liver-associated macrophages in the zebrafish model by taking advantage of the latest advances in zebrafish genetics and multimodal correlative imaging. Herein, we report on the occurrence of macrophages within the zebrafish liver exhibiting conventional ultrastructural features (e.g. presence of pseudopodia, extensive lysosomal apparatus, a phagolysosome and making up ∼3% of the liver volume). Intriguingly, these cells were not located within the sinusoidal vascular bed of hepatic tissue but instead resided between hepatocytes and lacked phagocytic function. While our results demonstrated the presence and structural similarities with liver macrophages from other experimental models, their functional characteristics were distinctly different from Kupffer cells that have been described in rodents and humans. These findings illustrate that the innate immune system of the zebrafish liver has some distinctly different characteristics compared to other animal experimental models. This conclusion underpins our call for future studies in order to have a better understanding of the physiological role of macrophages residing between the parenchymal cells of the zebrafish liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delfine Cheng
- School of Medical Sciences (Discipline of Anatomy and Histology) - The Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - Marco Morsch
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
| | - Gerald J Shami
- School of Medical Sciences (Discipline of Anatomy and Histology) - The Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - Roger S Chung
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
| | - Filip Braet
- School of Medical Sciences (Discipline of Anatomy and Histology) - The Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Australian Centre for Microscopy & Microanalysis, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Charles Perkins Centre (Cellular Imaging Facility), The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
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13
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An Effective Microscopic Detection Method for Automated Silicon-Substrate Ultra-microtome (ASUM). Neural Process Lett 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11063-019-10134-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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14
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Wang P, Liang Z, Kang BH. Electron tomography of plant organelles and the outlook for correlative microscopic approaches. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2019; 223:1756-1761. [PMID: 31058325 DOI: 10.1111/nph.15882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Structural analyses of organelles and localization of proteins in their confines are essential to investigate inner workings of eukaryotic cells. Electron tomography (ET) is a three-dimensional electron microscopy method with which we can extract sliced views of organelles from any direction and quantify their structural parameters at nanometer-level resolution. This advanced electron microscopy tool is suited for characterization of convoluted membrane compartments and of cellular constituents of dimensions smaller than 100 nm. ET studies of plant cells fixed by rapid freezing have expanded our understanding of the biogenesis and functions of plant organelles. Here we describe how the molecular imaging capacity of correlative light and electron microscopy can be integrated with ET in studies of plant organelles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Wang
- Centre for Cell and Developmental Biology, State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zizhen Liang
- Centre for Cell and Developmental Biology, State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
| | - Byung-Ho Kang
- Centre for Cell and Developmental Biology, State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
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15
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Templier T. MagC, magnetic collection of ultrathin sections for volumetric correlative light and electron microscopy. eLife 2019; 8:e45696. [PMID: 31294691 PMCID: PMC6697447 DOI: 10.7554/elife.45696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The non-destructive collection of ultrathin sections on silicon wafers for post-embedding staining and volumetric correlative light and electron microscopy traditionally requires exquisite manual skills and is tedious and unreliable. In MagC introduced here, sample blocks are augmented with a magnetic resin enabling the remote actuation and collection of hundreds of sections on wafer. MagC allowed the correlative visualization of neuroanatomical tracers within their ultrastructural volumetric electron microscopy context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Templier
- Institute of NeuroinformaticsUniversity of Zurich and ETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
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16
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Kizilyaprak C, Stierhof YD, Humbel BM. Volume microscopy in biology: FIB-SEM tomography. Tissue Cell 2019; 57:123-128. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2018.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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17
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Abstract
Array tomography encompasses light and electron microscopy modalities that offer unparalleled opportunities to explore three-dimensional cellular architectures in extremely fine structural and molecular detail. Fluorescence array tomography achieves much higher resolution and molecular multiplexing than most other fluorescence microscopy methods, while electron array tomography can capture three-dimensional ultrastructure much more easily and rapidly than traditional serial-section electron microscopy methods. A correlative fluorescence/electron microscopy mode of array tomography furthermore offers a unique capacity to merge the molecular discrimination strengths of multichannel fluorescence microscopy with the ultrastructural imaging strengths of electron microscopy. This essay samples the first decade of array tomography, highlighting applications in neuroscience.
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18
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Burel A, Lavault MT, Chevalier C, Gnaegi H, Prigent S, Mucciolo A, Dutertre S, Humbel BM, Guillaudeux T, Kolotuev I. A targeted 3D EM and correlative microscopy method using SEM array tomography. Development 2018; 145:dev.160879. [PMID: 29802150 DOI: 10.1242/dev.160879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Using electron microscopy to localize rare cellular events or structures in complex tissue is challenging. Correlative light and electron microscopy procedures have been developed to link fluorescent protein expression with ultrastructural resolution. Here, we present an optimized scanning electron microscopy (SEM) workflow for volumetric array tomography for asymmetric samples and model organisms (Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, Danio rerio). We modified a diamond knife to simplify serial section array acquisition with minimal artifacts. After array acquisition, the arrays were transferred to a glass coverslip or silicon wafer support. Using light microscopy, the arrays were screened rapidly for initial recognition of global anatomical features (organs or body traits). Then, using SEM, an in-depth study of the cells and/or organs of interest was performed. Our manual and automatic data acquisition strategies make 3D data acquisition and correlation simpler and more precise than alternative methods. This method can be used to address questions in cell and developmental biology that require the efficient identification of a labeled cell or organelle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Burel
- University of Rennes 1, UMS Biosit, MRic, 35043 Rennes, France
| | | | | | | | - Sylvain Prigent
- University of Rennes 1, UMS Biosit, MRic, 35043 Rennes, France
| | - Antonio Mucciolo
- University of Lausanne, Faculté de biologie et de médecine, Electron Microscopy Facility, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Bruno M Humbel
- University of Lausanne, Faculté de biologie et de médecine, Electron Microscopy Facility, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Irina Kolotuev
- University of Rennes 1, UMS Biosit, MRic, 35043 Rennes, France .,University of Lausanne, Faculté de biologie et de médecine, Electron Microscopy Facility, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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19
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Methods for array tomography with correlative light and electron microscopy. Med Mol Morphol 2018; 52:8-14. [PMID: 29855715 DOI: 10.1007/s00795-018-0194-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The three-dimensional ultra-structure is the comprehensive structure that cannot be observed from a two-dimensional electron micrograph. Array tomography is one method for three-dimensional electron microscopy. In this method, to obtain consecutive cross sections of tissue, connected consecutive sections of a resin block are mounted on a flat substrate, and these are observed with scanning electron microscopy. Although array tomography requires some bothersome manual procedures to prepare specimens, a recent study has introduced some techniques to ease specimen preparation. In addition, array tomography has some advantages compared with other three-dimensional electron microscopy techniques. For example, sections on the substrate are stored semi-eternally, so they can be observed at different magnifications. Furthermore, various staining methods, including post-embedding immunocytochemistry, can be adopted. In the present review, the preparation of specimens for array tomography, including ribbon collection and the staining method, and the adaptability for correlative light and electron microscopy are discussed.
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20
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Wacker IU, Veith L, Spomer W, Hofmann A, Thaler M, Hillmer S, Gengenbach U, Schröder RR. Multimodal Hierarchical Imaging of Serial Sections for Finding Specific Cellular Targets within Large Volumes. J Vis Exp 2018:57059. [PMID: 29630046 PMCID: PMC5933231 DOI: 10.3791/57059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeting specific cells at ultrastructural resolution within a mixed cell population or a tissue can be achieved by hierarchical imaging using a combination of light and electron microscopy. Samples embedded in resin are sectioned into arrays consisting of ribbons of hundreds of ultrathin sections and deposited on pieces of silicon wafer or conductively coated coverslips. Arrays are imaged at low resolution using a digital consumer like smartphone camera or light microscope (LM) for a rapid large area overview, or a wide field fluorescence microscope (fluorescence light microscopy (FLM)) after labeling with fluorophores. After post-staining with heavy metals, arrays are imaged in a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Selection of targets is possible from 3D reconstructions generated by FLM or from 3D reconstructions made from the SEM image stacks at intermediate resolution if no fluorescent markers are available. For ultrastructural analysis, selected targets are finally recorded in the SEM at high-resolution (a few nanometer image pixels). A ribbon-handling tool that can be retrofitted to any ultramicrotome is demonstrated. It helps with array production and substrate removal from the sectioning knife boat. A software platform that allows automated imaging of arrays in the SEM is discussed. Compared to other methods generating large volume EM data, such as serial block-face SEM (SBF-SEM) or focused ion beam SEM (FIB-SEM), this approach has two major advantages: (1) The resin-embedded sample is conserved, albeit in a sliced-up version. It can be stained in different ways and imaged with different resolutions. (2) As the sections can be post-stained, it is not necessary to use samples strongly block-stained with heavy metals to introduce contrast for SEM imaging or render the tissue blocks conductive. This makes the method applicable to a wide variety of materials and biological questions. Particularly prefixed materials e.g., from biopsy banks and pathology labs, can directly be embedded and reconstructed in 3D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene U Wacker
- Cryo Electron Microscopy, Centre for Advanced Materials, Universität Heidelberg; Heidelberg Karlsruhe Research Partnership (HEiKA);
| | - Lisa Veith
- Cryo Electron Microscopy, BioQuant, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg
| | - Waldemar Spomer
- Heidelberg Karlsruhe Research Partnership (HEiKA); Institute for Automation and Applied Computer Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
| | - Andreas Hofmann
- Heidelberg Karlsruhe Research Partnership (HEiKA); Institute for Automation and Applied Computer Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
| | | | - Stefan Hillmer
- Electron Microscopy Core Facility, Universität Heidelberg
| | - Ulrich Gengenbach
- Heidelberg Karlsruhe Research Partnership (HEiKA); Institute for Automation and Applied Computer Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
| | - Rasmus R Schröder
- Cryo Electron Microscopy, Centre for Advanced Materials, Universität Heidelberg; Heidelberg Karlsruhe Research Partnership (HEiKA); Cryo Electron Microscopy, BioQuant, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg
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21
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Koike T, Kataoka Y, Maeda M, Hasebe Y, Yamaguchi Y, Suga M, Saito A, Yamada H. A Device for Ribbon Collection for Array Tomography with Scanning Electron Microscopy. Acta Histochem Cytochem 2017; 50:135-140. [PMID: 29276315 PMCID: PMC5736830 DOI: 10.1267/ahc.17013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
“Array tomography” is a method used to observe the fine structure of cells and tissues in a three-dimensional view. In this method, serial ultrathin sections in the ribbon state (ribbons) are mounted on a solid substrate and observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The method may also be used in conjunction with post-embedding immunocytochemistry. However, it is difficult to mount many serial ribbons on a substrate manually. We developed an inexpensive laboratory-made device that mounts ribbons by pulling a nylon fishing line and lifting the substrate up from the water in a knife boat. Using this device, we succeeded in mounting several ribbons consisting a mean of 205.6 (SD: 37.7) serial ultrathin sections on 1.25 (SD: 0.06) × 1.25 (SD: 0.06)-cm silicon substrates. Furthermore, it was confirmed that our method is suitable for ribbons derived from water-soluble resin blocks. We were also able to stain the specimens by post-embedding immunocytochemistry. Thus, our method is useful in mounting numerus sections on a substrate for array tomography with SEM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taro Koike
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Science, Kansai Medical University
| | - Yosky Kataoka
- Multi-Modal Microstructure Analysis Unit, RIKEN CLST-JEOL Collaboration Center
- Cellular Function Imaging Team, Division of Bio-function Dynamics Imaging, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies
| | - Mitsuyo Maeda
- Multi-Modal Microstructure Analysis Unit, RIKEN CLST-JEOL Collaboration Center
| | - Yuji Hasebe
- Multi-Modal Microstructure Analysis Unit, RIKEN CLST-JEOL Collaboration Center
| | - Yuuki Yamaguchi
- Multi-Modal Microstructure Analysis Unit, RIKEN CLST-JEOL Collaboration Center
| | - Mitsuo Suga
- Multi-Modal Microstructure Analysis Unit, RIKEN CLST-JEOL Collaboration Center
| | - Akira Saito
- Institute of Biomedical Science Central Research Center, Kansai Medical University
| | - Hisao Yamada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Science, Kansai Medical University
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22
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Ferguson S, Steyer AM, Mayhew TM, Schwab Y, Lucocq JM. Quantifying Golgi structure using EM: combining volume-SEM and stereology for higher throughput. Histochem Cell Biol 2017; 147:653-669. [PMID: 28429122 PMCID: PMC5429891 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-017-1564-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Investigating organelles such as the Golgi complex depends increasingly on high-throughput quantitative morphological analyses from multiple experimental or genetic conditions. Light microscopy (LM) has been an effective tool for screening but fails to reveal fine details of Golgi structures such as vesicles, tubules and cisternae. Electron microscopy (EM) has sufficient resolution but traditional transmission EM (TEM) methods are slow and inefficient. Newer volume scanning EM (volume-SEM) methods now have the potential to speed up 3D analysis by automated sectioning and imaging. However, they produce large arrays of sections and/or images, which require labour-intensive 3D reconstruction for quantitation on limited cell numbers. Here, we show that the information storage, digital waste and workload involved in using volume-SEM can be reduced substantially using sampling-based stereology. Using the Golgi as an example, we describe how Golgi populations can be sensed quantitatively using single random slices and how accurate quantitative structural data on Golgi organelles of individual cells can be obtained using only 5–10 sections/images taken from a volume-SEM series (thereby sensing population parameters and cell–cell variability). The approach will be useful in techniques such as correlative LM and EM (CLEM) where small samples of cells are treated and where there may be variable responses. For Golgi study, we outline a series of stereological estimators that are suited to these analyses and suggest workflows, which have the potential to enhance the speed and relevance of data acquisition in volume-SEM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Ferguson
- Structural Cell Biology Group, School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, Fife, KY16 9TF, Scotland, UK
| | - Anna M Steyer
- Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Terry M Mayhew
- School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Yannick Schwab
- Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - John Milton Lucocq
- Structural Cell Biology Group, School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, Fife, KY16 9TF, Scotland, UK.
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