title: Electron tomography of cells.
abstract: The electron microscope has contributed deep insights into biological structure since its invention nearly 80 years ago. Advances in instrumentation and methodology in recent decades have now enabled electron tomography to become the highest resolution three-dimensional (3D) imaging technique available for unique objects such as cells. Cells can be imaged either plastic-embedded or frozen-hydrated. Then the series of projection images are aligned and back-projected to generate a 3D reconstruction or 'tomogram'. Here, we review how electron tomography has begun to reveal the molecular organization of cells and how the existing and upcoming technologies promise even greater insights into structural cell biology.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gan
authors.forename: Grant J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Jensen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002477:Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D055032:Electron Microscope Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000378:metabolism; D018406:Virus Physiological Phenomena
chemical_list: D046911:Macromolecular Substances
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