Detection of vesicles in native and model biles by morphological and other structural techniques: applications and...

Detection and characterization of vesicles in native and model biles can be achieved by both imaging and nonimaging methods. Imaging methods provide more directly interpretable information, but sample preparation problems, particularly for application of electron microscopy, are a source of serious concern. Several nonimaging methods have also been used to advantage in the study of vesicles. These methods all share the disadvantage of being model dependent, thus making data analysis indirect and inferential; this is in addition to constraints unique to each of the several nonimaging methods. It is suggested that to achieve optimal accuracy in vesicle studies, a combination of different structural methods should be used where possible.