Serial block face scanning electron microscopy--the future of cell ultrastructure imaging.
One of the major drawbacks in transmission electron microscopy has been the production of three-dimensional views of cells and tissues. Currently, there is no one suitable 3D microscopy technique that answers all questions and serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SEM) fills the gap between 3D imaging using high-end fluorescence microscopy and the high resolution offered by electron tomography. In this review, we discuss the potential of the serial block face SEM technique for studying the three-dimensional organisation of animal, plant and microbial cells.
Department of Biological & Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Headington, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK.
Louise
L
Hughes
Chris
C
Hawes
Sandy
S
Monteith
Sue
S
Vaughan
D000818:Animals; D002477:Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods