title: Three-dimensional imaging of biological complexity.
abstract: Over the past 5 years, thanks to advances in both instrumentation and computational speed, three-dimensional imaging techniques using the electron microscope have been greatly improved in two areas: electron tomography of cell organelles or cell sections and reconstruction of macromolecules from single particles. Ice embedment has brought a breakthrough in the degree of preservation of specimens under close-to-native conditions. The current challenge is to push the resolution of electron tomographic imaging to a point where macromolecular signatures can be recognized within the cellular context. We show first progress toward this goal by examples in two areas of application: the structure of the muscle triad junction and the architecture and fine structure of mitochondria. As techniques of cryo-microtomy are perfected, we hope to be able to apply tomography to high-pressure frozen sections of tissue.
authors.affiliation: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Health Research, Incorporated, Albany, NY 12201-0509, USA. joachim@wadsworth.org
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.forename: Terence
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wagenknecht
authors.forename: Bruce F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: McEwen
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marko
authors.forename: Chyong-Ere
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Carmen A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Mannella
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D022082:Cellular Structures / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D020285:Cryoelectron Microscopy; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008930:Mitochondria, Liver / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D046911:Macromolecular Substances