Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 29, 2026

Author Spotlight: Analyzing the Synaptic Ultrastructure in Mature Retinal Organoids Using TEM
Published on: June 7, 2024
Advantages of embedment-free section transmission electron microscopy
Hisatake Kondo1, Wiphawi Hipkaeo
1Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand.
Abstract:
The usefulness of embedment-free section transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is stressed for present and future morphological analyses, and several examples are demonstrated which are revealed in sections for the first time by this method: en-face views of slit diaphragm of renal glomerulus and fenestrated diaphragm of capillary endothelium, transparency of neural myelin, attenuated endothelium and some basement laminae, labyrinth architecture of vacuoles within lipid droplets, and enhanced 3D effect of ultrastructures, the latter of which is the case in electron tomography. In addition, the biological significance of structured appearance (microtrabecular lattices) of the cytoplasmic matrix, which is disclosed by this method, are briefly reviewed in relation to the sol-gel transition of cytoplasmic heterogenous proteins. Since the ultrastructures of various cells and tissues in this method are confirmed to be well correspondent to those in conventional epoxy section TEM except for isotropic dimensional changes, and because there is no necessity for any special expensive equipments other than those for the conventional TEM, the embedment-free section TEM method with these advantages, deserves much more wide application to the morphological research including electron tomography.
Related Concept Videos
Transmission Electron Microscopy
Overview of Electron Microscopy
Scanning Electron Microscopy
Fundamental Principles
Accelerated...
Immunogold Electron Microscopy
Cryo-electron Microscopy
Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy

