title: Microscopy imaging of liposomes: from coverslips to environmental SEM.
abstract: A plethora of techniques for the imaging of liposomes and other bilayer vesicles are available. However, sample preparation and the technique chosen should be carefully considered in conjunction with the information required. For example, larger vesicles such as multilamellar and giant unilamellar vesicles can be viewed using light microscopy and whilst vesicle confirmation and size prior to additional physical characterisations or more detailed microscopy can be undertaken, the technique is limited in terms of resolution. To consider the options available for visualising liposome-based systems, a wide range of microscopy techniques are described and discussed here: these include light, fluorescence and confocal microscopy and various electron microscopy techniques such as transmission, cryo, freeze fracture and environmental scanning electron microscopy. Their application, advantages and disadvantages are reviewed with regard to their use in analysis of lipid vesicles.
authors.affiliation: School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK.
authors.forename: Sagida
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bibi
authors.forename: Randip
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.forename: Malou
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Henriksen-Lacey
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: McNeil
authors.forename: Jitinder
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wilkhu
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lattmann
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: Afzal R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Mohammed
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Perrie
mesh_terms: D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry*; D008081:Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D008081:Liposomes