title: Serial block face scanning electron microscopy and the reconstruction of plant cell membrane systems.
abstract: Serial block face imaging with the scanning electron microscope has been developed as an alternative to serial sectioning and transmission electron microscopy for the ultrastructural analysis of the three-dimensional organization of cells and tissues. An ultramicrotome within the microscope specimen chamber permits sectioning and imaging to a depth of many microns within resin-embedded specimens. The technology has only recently been adopted by plant microscopists and here we describe some specimen preparation procedures suitable for plant tissue, suggested microscope imaging parameters and discuss the software required for image reconstruction and analysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological & Medical Science, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kittelmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological & Medical Science, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hawes
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological & Medical Science, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hughes
mesh_terms: D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D016591:Histocytological Preparation Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008867:Microtomy / Q000295:instrumentation; D059828:Plant Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure*
keywords: Osmium impregnation; SBFSEM; plant membranes; selective staining