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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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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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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] [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
- Imaging Physics Delft University of Technology Delft 2624CJ The Netherlands
| | - Ryan Lane
- Imaging Physics Delft University of Technology Delft 2624CJ The 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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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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Three-dimensional imaging of podocyte ultrastructure using FE-SEM and FIB-SEM tomography. Cell Tissue Res 2019; 379:245-254. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-019-03118-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
AbstractPodocytes are specialized epithelial cells used for glomerular filtration in the kidney. They can be divided into the cell body, primary process and foot process. Here, we describe two useful methods for the three-dimensional(3D) visualization of these subcellular compartments in rodent podocytes. The first method, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) with conductive staining, is used to visualize the luminal surface of numerous podocytes simultaneously. The second method, focused-ion beam SEM (FIB-SEM) tomography, allows the user to obtain serial images from different depths of field, or Z-stacks, of the glomerulus. This allows for the 3D reconstruction of podocyte ultrastructure, which can be viewed from all angles, from a single image set. This is not possible with conventional FE-SEM. The different advantages and disadvantages of FE-SEM and FIB-SEM tomography compensate for the weaknesses of the other. The combination renders a powerful approach for the 3D analysis of podocyte ultrastructure. As a result, we were able to identify a new subcellular compartment of podocytes, “ridge-like prominences” (RLPs).
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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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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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10
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Kawasaki Y, Matsumoto A, Miyaki T, Kinoshita M, Kakuta S, Sakai T, Ichimura K. Three-dimensional architecture of pericardial nephrocytes in Drosophila melanogaster revealed by FIB/SEM tomography. Cell Tissue Res 2019; 378:289-300. [PMID: 31089884 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-019-03037-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Nephrocytes are similar in structure to podocytes and play a role in the isolation of toxic substances from hemolymph in insects. Drosophila melanogaster nephrocytes have recently been used to study podocyte function and disease. However, the three-dimensional ultrastructure of nephrocytes is not clearly understood because their surrounding basement membrane makes it difficult to observe using conventional scanning electron microscopy. We reconstructed the three-dimensional ultrastructure of Drosophila pericardial nephrocytes using serial focused-ion beam/scanning electron microscopy (FIB/SEM) images. The basal surfaces were occupied by foot processes and slit-like spaces between them. The slit-like spaces corresponded to the podocyte filtration slits and were formed by longitudinal infolding/invagination of the basal plasma membrane. The basal surface between the slit-like spaces became the foot processes, which ran almost linearly, and had a "washboard-like" appearance. Both ends of the foot processes were usually anastomosed to neighboring foot processes and thus free ends were rarely observed. We demonstrated that FIB/SEM is a powerful tool to better understand the three-dimensional architecture of nephrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuto Kawasaki
- Department of Anatomy and Life Structure, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Akira Matsumoto
- Department of Biology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Inzai, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takayuki Miyaki
- Department of Anatomy and Life Structure, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Mui Kinoshita
- Department of Anatomy and Life Structure, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Soichiro Kakuta
- Laboratory of Morphology and Image Analysis, Center for Biomedical Research Resources, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Sakai
- Department of Anatomy and Life Structure, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Koichiro Ichimura
- Department of Anatomy and Life Structure, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan. .,Laboratory of Morphology and Image Analysis, Center for Biomedical Research Resources, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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Koike T, Tanaka S, Hirahara Y, Oe S, Kurokawa K, Maeda M, Suga M, Kataoka Y, Yamada H. Morphological characteristics of p75 neurotrophin receptor‐positive cells define a new type of glial cell in the rat dorsal root ganglia. J Comp Neurol 2019; 527:2047-2060. [DOI: 10.1002/cne.24667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Taro Koike
- Department of Anatomy and Cell ScienceKansai Medical University Hirakata Osaka Japan
| | - Susumu Tanaka
- Department of Anatomy and Cell ScienceKansai Medical University Hirakata Osaka Japan
| | - Yukie Hirahara
- Department of Anatomy and Cell ScienceKansai Medical University Hirakata Osaka Japan
| | - Souichi Oe
- Department of Anatomy and Cell ScienceKansai Medical University Hirakata Osaka Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Kurokawa
- Department of Human Health ScienceOsaka International University Moriguchi Osaka Japan
| | - Mitsuyo Maeda
- Multi‐Modal Microstructure Analysis UnitRIKEN‐JEOL Collaboration Center Kobe Hyogo Japan
| | - Mitsuo Suga
- Multi‐Modal Microstructure Analysis UnitRIKEN‐JEOL Collaboration Center Kobe Hyogo Japan
| | - Yosky Kataoka
- Multi‐Modal Microstructure Analysis UnitRIKEN‐JEOL Collaboration Center Kobe Hyogo Japan
- Laboratory for Cellular Function ImagingRIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research Kobe Hyogo Japan
| | - Hisao Yamada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell ScienceKansai Medical University Hirakata Osaka Japan
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Ichimura K, Miyaki T, Kawasaki Y, Kinoshita M, Kakuta S, Sakai T. Morphological Processes of Foot Process Effacement in Puromycin Aminonucleoside Nephrosis Revealed by FIB/SEM Tomography. J Am Soc Nephrol 2018; 30:96-108. [PMID: 30514724 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2018020139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Foot process effacement is one of the pathologic indicators of podocyte injury. However, the morphologic changes associated with it remain unclear. METHODS To clarify the developmental process, we analyzed puromycin nephrotic podocytes reconstructed from serial focused-ion beam/scanning electron microscopy (FIB/SEM) images. RESULTS Intact podocytes consisted of four subcellular compartments: cell body, primary process, ridge-like prominence (RLP), and foot process. The RLP, a longitudinal protrusion from the basal surface of the cell body and primary process, served as an adhesive apparatus for the cell body and primary process to attach to the glomerular basement membrane. Foot processes protruded from both sides of the RLP. In puromycin nephrotic podocytes, foot process effacement occurred in two ways: by type-1 retraction, where the foot processes retracted while maintaining their rounded tips; or type-2 retraction, where they narrowed across their entire lengths, tapering toward the tips. Puromycin nephrotic podocytes also exhibited several alterations associated with foot process effacement, such as deformation of the cell body, retraction of RLPs, and cytoplasmic fragmentation. Finally, podocytes were reorganized into a broad, flattened shape. CONCLUSIONS The three-dimensional reconstruction of podocytes by serial FIB/SEM images revealed the morphologic changes involved in foot process effacement in greater detail than previously described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koichiro Ichimura
- Department of Anatomy and Life Structure and .,Laboratory of Morphology and Image Analysis, Research Support Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Soichiro Kakuta
- Laboratory of Morphology and Image Analysis, Research Support Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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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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14
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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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