Scanning electron microscopy of cells and tissues under fully hydrated conditions.

Journal article

A capability for scanning electron microscopy of wet biological specimens is presented. A membrane that is transparent to electrons protects the fully hydrated sample from the vacuum. The result is a hybrid technique combining the ease of use and ability to see into cells of optical microscopy with the higher resolution of electron microscopy. The resolution of low-contrast materials is approximately 100 nm, whereas in high-contrast materials the resolution can reach 10 nm. Standard immunogold techniques and heavy-metal stains can be applied and viewed in the fluid to improve the contrast. Images present a striking combination of whole-cell morphology with a wealth of internal details. A possibility for direct inspection of tissue slices transpires, imaging only the external layer of cells. Simultaneous imaging with photons excited by the electrons incorporates data on material distribution, indicating a potential for multilabeling and specific scintillating markers.

Authors: Thiberge, S; Nechushtan, A; Sprinzak, D; Gileadi, O; Behar, V

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
• Volume: 101
• Issue: 10
• Pages: 3346-3351
• Publication date: 2004-03-01
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0400088101
• EISSN: 1091-6490
• ISSN: 0027-8424
• Language: English
• Keywords: CHO Cells; Cytological Techniques; Hela Cells; Cricetinae; Mice; Staining and Labeling; Humans; Histological Techniques; Trypanosoma brucei brucei; Gold; Electrons; Water; Animals; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Scattering, Radiation