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Related Concept Videos

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...
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 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.
Fixation and Sectioning01:03

Fixation and Sectioning

Two basic types of preparation are used to visualize specimens with a light microscope: wet mounts and fixed specimens.
The simplest type of preparation is the wet mount, in which the specimen is placed in a drop of liquid on the slide. A liquid specimen can be directly deposited on the slide using a dropper. Solid specimens, such as skin scraping, can be placed on the slide before adding a drop of liquid to prepare the wet mount. Sometimes the liquid is simply water, but stains are often added...
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...
Immunogold Electron Microscopy01:20

Immunogold Electron Microscopy

Immunoelectron microscopy utilizes immunogold labeling of endogenous proteins with specific antibodies to detect and localize these proteins in cells and tissues. The procedure provides insights into the distribution and quantification of protein under different stimulation conditions offering clues about their functions. Conjugating highly electron-dense gold particles with primary or secondary antibodies allow antigen detection on and within cells, with high resolution and specificity.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

Advancing High-Resolution Imaging of Virus Assemblies in Liquid and Ice
08:31

Advancing High-Resolution Imaging of Virus Assemblies in Liquid and Ice

Published on: July 20, 2022

Electron microscopy of specimens in liquid.

Niels de Jonge1, Frances M Ross

  • 1Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA.

Nature Nanotechnology
|October 25, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Electron microscopy in liquids offers new insights into biological systems and materials science. This review covers progress, challenges, and applications of liquid electron microscopy for energy storage and bioimaging.

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In situ TEM of Biological Assemblies in Liquid
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Rapid Freezing using Sandwich Freezing Device for Good Ultrastructural Preservation of Biological Specimens in Electron Microscopy

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Last Updated: May 28, 2026

Advancing High-Resolution Imaging of Virus Assemblies in Liquid and Ice
08:31

Advancing High-Resolution Imaging of Virus Assemblies in Liquid and Ice

Published on: July 20, 2022

In situ TEM of Biological Assemblies in Liquid
08:28

In situ TEM of Biological Assemblies in Liquid

Published on: December 30, 2013

Rapid Freezing using Sandwich Freezing Device for Good Ultrastructural Preservation of Biological Specimens in Electron Microscopy
09:03

Rapid Freezing using Sandwich Freezing Device for Good Ultrastructural Preservation of Biological Specimens in Electron Microscopy

Published on: July 19, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Scientific imaging
  • Materials science
  • Biological systems

Background:

  • Electron microscopy in liquids provides unique insights.
  • Applications span biological systems (e.g., labeled proteins) and materials science (e.g., nanoparticle synthesis).

Purpose of the Study:

  • Review recent progress in liquid electron microscopy.
  • Examine experimental challenges and achievable resolution.
  • Assess the potential of liquid electron microscopy in energy storage and bioimaging.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent advancements in electron microscopy techniques for liquid samples.
  • Analysis of experimental challenges and resolution limitations.
  • Exploration of diverse applications.

Main Results:

  • Progress in electron microscopy for liquid samples has been significant.
  • Various forms of the technique offer different resolutions.
  • Key challenges in liquid electron microscopy have been identified.

Conclusions:

  • Liquid electron microscopy is a powerful tool for studying dynamic processes in situ.
  • Potential applications in energy storage and bioimaging are substantial.
  • Further development will enhance resolution and expand capabilities.