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Related Concept Videos

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...
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.
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...
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...
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.

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Updated: May 19, 2026

Method to Visualize and Analyze Membrane Interacting Proteins by Transmission Electron Microscopy
10:49

Method to Visualize and Analyze Membrane Interacting Proteins by Transmission Electron Microscopy

Published on: March 5, 2017

Electron microscopy of pharmaceutical systems.

Victoria Klang1, Claudia Valenta, Nadejda B Matsko

  • 1University of Vienna, Research Platform Characterisation of Drug Delivery Systems on Skin and Investigation of Involved Mechanisms, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria.

Micron (Oxford, England : 1993)
|August 28, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Electron microscopy is crucial for characterizing nano-scale drug delivery systems like nanoparticles and vesicles. This review details methods for analyzing these pharmaceutical formulations, highlighting techniques for hydrated samples and elemental composition analysis.

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Last Updated: May 19, 2026

Method to Visualize and Analyze Membrane Interacting Proteins by Transmission Electron Microscopy
10:49

Method to Visualize and Analyze Membrane Interacting Proteins by Transmission Electron Microscopy

Published on: March 5, 2017

Single Particle Cryo-Electron Microscopy: From Sample to Structure
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Analyzing Dynamic Protein Complexes Assembled On and Released From Biolayer Interferometry Biosensor Using Mass Spectrometry and Electron Microscopy
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Analyzing Dynamic Protein Complexes Assembled On and Released From Biolayer Interferometry Biosensor Using Mass Spectrometry and Electron Microscopy

Published on: August 6, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Pharmaceutical Technology
  • Materials Science
  • Microscopy

Background:

  • Pharmaceutical research increasingly focuses on nano-scale drug delivery systems.
  • Electron microscopy is vital for characterizing these complex formulations.
  • Understanding basic properties is essential for accurate microscopic analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review pharmaceutical systems relevant to current research.
  • To outline strategies for successful electron microscopic analysis of these systems.
  • To discuss the advantages and limitations of various methodological approaches.

Main Methods:

  • Adaptation of classical transmission and scanning electron microscopy for pharmaceutical systems.
  • Application of specialized techniques like environmental scanning microscopy and cryo preparation for hydrated samples.
  • Utilisation of analytical electron microscopy (e.g., EELS, EDX) for elemental composition determination.

Main Results:

  • Classical electron microscopy techniques require adaptation for accurate pharmaceutical formulation analysis.
  • Specific methods are necessary for investigating hydrated colloidal systems.
  • Analytical techniques offer elemental composition insights but are not yet standard.

Conclusions:

  • Electron microscopy is indispensable for characterizing diverse nano-scale pharmaceutical systems.
  • Methodological adaptations and specialized techniques are key for accurate analysis, especially of hydrated formulations.
  • Advanced analytical techniques provide valuable elemental composition data, expanding the scope of pharmaceutical characterization.