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Updated: May 19, 2026
11:16
Correlative Light- and Electron Microscopy Using Quantum Dot Nanoparticles
Published on: August 7, 2016
Correlative light and electron microscopy in parasite research
Céline Loussert1, Claire-Lise Forestier, Bruno M Humbel
1Electron Microscopy Facility, University of Lausanne, Biophore, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Methods in Cell Biology
|August 4, 2012
Summary
Correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) reveals parasite-host interactions at the ultrastructural level. This technique combines fluorescence microscopy
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Parasitology
- Microscopy
Background:
- Parasite-host cell interactions involve attachment, entry, and metabolic hijacking.
- Traditional biochemical methods analyze population averages, while fluorescence microscopy visualizes individual cells.
- Light microscopy offers limited ultrastructural resolution and can only visualize labeled structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the added value of electron microscopy for studying parasite-host cell interactions.
- To overcome limitations of individual microscopy techniques in visualizing these complex interactions.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM).
- Employing fluorescence microscopy to locate parasite and host cell components.
- Leveraging electron microscopy for high-resolution ultrastructural analysis.
Main Results:
- CLEM enables the investigation of individual parasite-host cell interaction events.
- This approach overcomes the challenge of identifying sufficient infected cells for electron microscopy analysis.
- High-resolution structural information is obtained by combining light and electron microscopy.
Conclusions:
- Correlative light and electron microscopy is a powerful tool for studying parasite-host cell interactions.
- CLEM provides crucial ultrastructural insights not achievable with light microscopy alone.
- This integrated approach enhances our understanding of parasite invasion and host cell manipulation.
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