Three-dimensional SEM, TEM, and STEM for analysis of large-scale biological systems.
Histochem Cell Biol 2022;
158:203-211. [PMID:
35829815 PMCID:
PMC9399040 DOI:
10.1007/s00418-022-02117-w]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A major aim in structural cell biology is to analyze intact cells in three dimensions, visualize subcellular structures, and even localize proteins at the best possible resolution in three dimensions. Though recently developed electron microscopy tools such as electron tomography, or three-dimensional (3D) scanning electron microscopy, offer great resolution in three dimensions, the challenge is that, the better the resolution, usually the smaller the volume under investigation. Several different approaches to overcome this challenge were presented at the Microscopy Conference in Vienna in 2021. These tools include array tomography, batch tomography, or scanning transmission electron tomography, all of which can nowadays be extended toward correlative light and electron tomography, with greatly increased 3D information. Here, we review these tools, describe the underlying procedures, and discuss their advantages and limits.
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