Multiple-axis tomography: applications to basal bodies from Paramecium tetraurelia.
BACKGROUND
Transmission electron tomography is becoming a powerful tool for studying subcellular components of cells. Classical approaches for electron tomography consist of recording images along a single-tilt axis. This approach is being improved by dual-axis reconstructions and/or high-tilt devices (tilt angle>+/-60 degrees) on microscopes to compensate part of the information loss due to the 'missing wedge' phenomena.


RESULTS
In the present work we have evaluated the extension of the dual-axis technique to a multiple-axis approach, and we demonstrate a freely available plug-in for the Java-based freeware image-analysis software ImageJ. Our results from phantom and experimental data sets from Paramecium tetraurelia epon-embedded sections have shown that multiple-axis tomography achieves results equivalent to those obtained by dual-axis approach without the requirement for high-tilt devices.


CONCLUSIONS
This new approach allows performance of high-resolution tomography, avoiding the need for high-tilt devices, and therefore will increase the access of electron tomography to a larger community.
Messaoudi
Cédric
C
INSERM U759, Imagerie intégrative, 91405 Orsay, France, and Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, Laboratoire Raymond Latarjet, Centre Universitaire d'Orsay, France.
de Loubresse
Nicole Garreau
NG
Boudier
Thomas
T
Dupuis-Williams
Pascale
P
Marco
Sergio
S
D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D002923:Cilia / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods*; D008870:Microtubules / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016805:Paramecium tetraurelia / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D014054:Tomography / Q000379:methods*