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Related Concept Videos

Transmission Electron Microscopy01:15

Transmission Electron Microscopy

In 1931, physicist Ernst Ruska—building on the idea that magnetic fields can direct an electron beam just as lenses can direct a beam of light in an optical microscope—developed the first prototype of the electron microscope. This development led to the development of the field of electron microscopy. In the transmission electron microscope (TEM), electrons are produced by a hot tungsten element and accelerated by a potential difference in an electron gun, which gives them up to 400 keV in...
Electron Microscope Tomography and Single-particle Reconstruction01:07

Electron Microscope Tomography and Single-particle Reconstruction

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) can be used to determine the 3D structure of biological samples with the help of techniques such as electron microscope tomography and single-particle reconstruction. While single-particle reconstruction can examine macromolecules and macromolecular complexes in vitro conditions only, tomography permits the study of cell components or small cells in vivo.
Electron Tomography
Electron tomography can be performed either in TEM or STEM (scanning transmission...
Overview of Electron Microscopy01:25

Overview of Electron Microscopy

The wavelengths of visible light ultimately limit the maximum theoretical resolution of images created by light microscopes. Most light microscopes can only magnify 1000X, and a few can magnify up to 1500X. Electrons, like electromagnetic radiation, can behave like waves, but with wavelengths of 0.005 nm, they produce significantly greater resolution up to 0.05 nm as compared to 500 nm for visible light. An electron microscope (EM) can create a sharp image that is magnified up to 2,000,000X.
Overview of Microscopy Techniques01:22

Overview of Microscopy Techniques

The early pioneers of microscopy opened a window into the invisible world of microorganisms. In 1830, Joseph Jackson Lister created an essentially modern light microscope. The 20th century saw the development of microscopes that leveraged nonvisible light, such as fluorescence microscopy that uses an ultraviolet light source and electron microscopy that uses short-wavelength electron beams. These advances significantly improved magnification, image resolution, and contrast. By comparison, the...
Scanning Electron Microscopy01:07

Scanning Electron Microscopy

A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is used to study the surface features of a sample by using an electron beam that scans the sample surface in a two-dimensional manner. Typically, areas between ~1 centimeter to 5 micrometers in width can be imaged. SEM can be used to image bacteria, viruses, tissues as well as larger samples like insects. Conventional SEM gives a magnification ranging from 20X to 30,000X and spatial resolution of 50 to 100 nanometers.
Fundamental Principles
Accelerated...
Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy01:20

Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy

To be visualized by an electron microscope, either transmission or scanning, biological samples need to be fixed (stabilized) so the electron beam does not destroy them and dried thoroughly (desiccated/dehydrated) so the vacuum does not affect them. Fixation needs to be done as quickly as possible because the sample properties will start changing as soon as it is removed from its natural environment. For example, in a tissue sample, the oxygen levels begin decreasing, causing an altered...

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Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Preparation and Observation of Thick Biological Samples by Scanning Transmission Electron Tomography
08:04

Preparation and Observation of Thick Biological Samples by Scanning Transmission Electron Tomography

Published on: March 12, 2017

Transmission electron microscopy.

Robert C Burghardt1, Robert Droleskey

  • 1Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.

Current Protocols in Microbiology
|September 5, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) offers vital methods for microbiology sample prep. Techniques include negative staining for particles and thin sectioning for complex ultrastructures and microbe-environment interactions.

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Method to Visualize and Analyze Membrane Interacting Proteins by Transmission Electron Microscopy

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Last Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Preparation and Observation of Thick Biological Samples by Scanning Transmission Electron Tomography
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Published on: March 12, 2017

Sample Preparation and Imaging of Exosomes by Transmission Electron Microscopy
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Method to Visualize and Analyze Membrane Interacting Proteins by Transmission Electron Microscopy
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Method to Visualize and Analyze Membrane Interacting Proteins by Transmission Electron Microscopy

Published on: March 5, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Microscopy
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a cornerstone of microbiological analysis.
  • Preparing diverse samples, from bacteria to macromolecules, requires specific techniques for ultrastructural examination.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To detail preparation methods for examining particulate and complex ultrastructural samples using TEM.
  • To provide protocols for negative staining and thin sectioning of microbial and related biological samples.

Main Methods:

  • Negative staining for particulate samples in suspension (e.g., bacteria, macromolecules).
  • Thin sectioning (60-90 nm) for analyzing microbe-environment interfaces, involving fixation, processing, resin embedment, ultramicrotomy, and staining.
  • Immunolocalization techniques for both negative staining and thin-sectioned preparations.

Main Results:

  • Established protocols enable detailed ultrastructural analysis of various microbial samples.
  • Effective preparation allows visualization of microbial structures and their environmental interactions.
  • Immunolocalization methods enhance the identification of specific antigens within prepared samples.

Conclusions:

  • Comprehensive TEM sample preparation techniques are crucial for advancing microbiological research.
  • These methods facilitate the study of microbial structure, function, and ecological roles.
  • The described protocols support detailed ultrastructural and immunolocalization studies in microbiology.