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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...
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.
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...
Cryo-electron Microscopy01:28

Cryo-electron Microscopy

Conventional electron microscopy (EM) involves dehydration, fixation, and staining of biological samples, which distorts the native state of biological molecules and results in several artifacts. Also, the high-energy electron beam damages the sample and makes it difficult to obtain high-resolution images. These issues can be addressed using cryo-EM, which uses frozen samples and gentler electron beams. The technique was developed by Jacques Dubochet, Joachim Frank, and Richard Henderson, for...
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
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Three-dimensional Characterization of Interorganelle Contact Sites in Hepatocytes using Serial Section Electron Microscopy
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Three-dimensional Characterization of Interorganelle Contact Sites in Hepatocytes using Serial Section Electron Microscopy

Published on: June 9, 2022

Virtual electron microscopy: a simple implementation creating a new paradigm in ultrastructural examination.

King-Chung Lee1, Lap-Sam Mak

  • 1Department of Pathology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR. leekc@ha.org.hk

International Journal of Surgical Pathology
|September 10, 2011
PubMed
Summary

This study introduces virtual ultrathin slides for electron microscopy, improving diagnostic efficiency and accuracy. Pathologists can now easily navigate high-resolution digital images on their workstations, overcoming traditional limitations.

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Last Updated: May 29, 2026

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Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy Tomography in Virology: 3D Imaging of High-pressure Frozen, Freeze-substituted Samples

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Area of Science:

  • Electron Microscopy
  • Digital Pathology
  • Pathology Diagnostics

Background:

  • Traditional ultrastructural examination is laborious, involving low-contrast screens and dim lighting.
  • This process is time-consuming and can lead to diagnostic fatigue for pathologists.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a method for creating virtual ultrathin slides to overcome challenges in electron microscopy.
  • To enhance diagnostic capabilities and explore new applications for electron microscopy data.

Main Methods:

  • Automated capture of hundreds of high-magnification images using a transmission electron microscope.
  • Stitching images into a high-resolution digital virtual slide (4 nm/pixel).
  • Utilizing specialized software and hardware, including a motorized stage and automated image capture.

Main Results:

  • Virtual slides offer improved contrast and resolution for accurate diagnosis.
  • Pathologists can precisely locate ultrastructural features on digital workstations.
  • Successful implementation requires a transmission electron microscope, specific software, and a computer.

Conclusions:

  • Virtual electron microscopy significantly improves the efficiency and precision of ultrastructural examination.
  • This technology enables new applications in pathology education, training, quality assurance, and expert consultation.