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Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Based Developmental Toxicity Assays for Chemical Safety Screening and Systems Biology Data Generation

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Ultrastructural analysis in preclinical safety evaluation.

Jane A Fagerland¹, Henry G Wall, Karamjeet Pandher

¹Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Illinois, USA. jane.fagerland@abbott.com

Toxicologic Pathology

|January 5, 2012

Summary

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was crucial for early biology but declined with new tech. This review highlights TEM's essential role in preclinical toxicity studies for direct ultrastructural data.

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Published on: May 10, 2016

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Toxicologic Pathology
Microscopy

Background:

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revolutionized biological research from the 1940s onwards, enabling detailed ultrastructural studies.
The advent of molecular techniques and confocal fluorescence microscopy led to a decline in TEM usage due to faster data acquisition and simpler training.
TEM's application in toxicologic pathology mirrored its trend in broader biological research.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the historical significance and current relevance of TEM in biological and toxicologic research.
To emphasize TEM's irreplaceable value in preclinical safety evaluation and mechanistic studies.
To advocate for the continued use and best practices in ultrastructural evaluation.

Main Methods:

Historical review of TEM's role in biological sciences.
Analysis of TEM's application in toxicologic pathology.
Discussion of TEM's contribution to preclinical safety testing.

Main Results:

TEM was foundational to early cellular and molecular biology but faced reduced usage with newer technologies.
Despite declining popularity, TEM remains indispensable for providing direct, unequivocal data in preclinical toxicity studies.
Ultrastructural visualization via TEM can link subcellular changes to other toxicological endpoints.

Conclusions:

TEM continues to be an essential tool in preclinical safety evaluation and mechanistic investigations.
The direct visualization of subcellular structures by TEM offers unique insights not achievable with other methods.
Adoption of best practices in ultrastructural evaluation is encouraged to maximize TEM's utility in modern research.