Visualizing intracellular events in vivo by combined video fluorescence and 3-D electron microscopy

The combination of the capability of in vivo fluorescence video microscopy with the power of resolution of electron microscopy (EM) has been described. This approach is based on such an association of two techniques. An individual intracellular structure can be monitored in vivo, typically through the use of markers fused with green fluorescent protein (GFP), and a "snapshot" of its three-dimensional (3-D) ultrastructure and especially tomographic reconstruction can then be taken at any chosen time during its life cycle. The pitfalls and potential of this approach are discussed.