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Related Concept Videos

Overview of Electron Microscopy01:25

Overview of Electron Microscopy

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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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Immunogold Electron Microscopy01:20

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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.
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Transmission Electron Microscopy01:15

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In 1931, physicist Ernst Ruska—building on the idea that magnetic fields can direct an electron beam just as lenses can direct a beam of light in an optical microscope—developed the first prototype of the electron microscope. This development led to the development of the field of electron microscopy. In the transmission electron microscope (TEM), electrons are produced by a hot tungsten element and accelerated by a potential difference in an electron gun, which gives them up to 400...
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Cryo-electron Microscopy01:28

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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...
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Overview of Microscopy Techniques01:22

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The early pioneers of microscopy opened a window into the invisible world of microorganisms. In 1830, Joseph Jackson Lister created an essentially modern light microscope. The 20th century saw the development of microscopes that leveraged nonvisible light, such as fluorescence microscopy that uses an ultraviolet light source and electron microscopy that uses short-wavelength electron beams. These advances significantly improved magnification, image resolution, and contrast. By comparison, the...
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Studying the Cytoskeleton01:17

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The cytoskeletal architecture can be studied using different microscopic and biochemical techniques. Electron microscopy was instrumental in discovering the cytoskeletal architecture around the 1960s, which allowed obtaining structural information at a high-resolution level. However, the sample preparation procedure often limits this ability in biological samples. Several protocols have been developed over the years to optimize sample preparation. In one of the protocols known as rotary...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 13, 2026

Dual-color Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy for the Visualization of Interactions between Mitochondria and Lysosomes
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Live Cell Electron Microscopy Is Probably Impossible.

Niels de Jonge, Diana B Peckys1

  • 1Department of Biophysics, Saarland University , D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany.

ACS Nano
|October 26, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Electron microscopy of live cells is not feasible due to lethal radiation doses. Recent viability claims rely on flawed assays, making correlative light and electron microscopy a better alternative for studying cell processes.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Microscopy Techniques

Background:

  • Electron microscopy offers nanoscale insights into biological cells.
  • Studying live cell physiological processes with electron microscopy is a long-standing goal.
  • High electron doses required for contrast exceed lethal levels for cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the feasibility of electron microscopy for live cell studies.
  • To address the interpretation of viability assays in recent reports.
  • To propose alternative methods for studying dynamic cellular processes.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of fluorescence-based live/dead assays used in conjunction with electron microscopy.
  • Review of established electron microscopy protocols and their biological impact.
  • Comparison of electron microscopy with correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM).

Main Results:

  • Claims of viable cell electron microscopy are based on misinterpretation of viability assays.
  • The electron dose required for imaging is significantly damaging to cells.
  • Correlative light and electron microscopy provides a viable alternative.

Conclusions:

  • Electron microscopy of live cells is currently not achievable due to radiation damage.
  • Re-evaluation of viability assays is crucial for accurate interpretation of microscopy data.
  • Correlative light and electron microscopy is a practical approach for studying dynamic cellular events.