Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 2, 2026
10:49
Method to Visualize and Analyze Membrane Interacting Proteins by Transmission Electron Microscopy
Published on: March 5, 2017
14.0K
Transmission electron microscopy artifacts in characterization of the nanomaterial-cell interactions
Yu Hang Leung1, Mu Yao Guo1,2, Angel P Y Ma3
1Department of Physics, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong.
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
|May 13, 2017
Summary
Standard electron microscopy sample preparation causes artifacts when analyzing Escherichia coli cells exposed to nanomaterials like TiO2, Ag, ZnO, and MgO. Modified protocols are crucial for accurate cell-nanomaterial interaction studies.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Microscopy
- Cell Biology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is vital for studying nanomaterial-cell interactions.
- Standard sample preparation protocols can introduce artifacts, complicating interpretation.
- Investigating Escherichia coli (E. coli) interactions with various nanomaterials requires careful protocol consideration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize artifacts generated during TEM sample preparation of E. coli exposed to titanium dioxide (TiO2), silver (Ag), zinc oxide (ZnO), and magnesium oxide (MgO).
- To determine the causes of observed artifacts, particularly reactions between nanomaterials and chemicals used in sample preparation.
- To propose optimized sample preparation protocols for accurate TEM analysis of nanomaterial-cell interactions.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of E. coli cells to TiO2, Ag, ZnO, and MgO nanomaterials.
- Application of standard TEM sample preparation protocols, including fixation and staining.
- Analysis of resulting TEM images to identify nanomaterial-independent and -dependent artifacts.
- Chemical stability assessment of nanomaterials under preparation conditions.
Main Results:
- Titanium dioxide (TiO2) exhibited only known nanomaterial-independent artifacts due to its chemical stability.
- Silver (Ag), zinc oxide (ZnO), and magnesium oxide (MgO) displayed unique artifacts resulting from reactions with preparation chemicals.
- Unambiguous evidence of Zn and Mg presence inside E. coli cells was observed only for MgO and ZnO exposures.
Conclusions:
- Standard TEM sample preparation protocols introduce significant artifacts when analyzing nanomaterial-exposed E. coli.
- Modified protocols are essential to avoid chemical reactions between specific nanomaterials (Ag, ZnO, MgO) and preparation reagents.
- Optimized protocols enable accurate determination of nanomaterial cellular uptake and membrane accumulation, ensuring reliable scientific conclusions.
More Related Videos
07:37Revealing Dynamic Processes of Materials in Liquids Using Liquid Cell Transmission Electron Microscopy
Published on: December 20, 2012
13.4K
10:23Author Spotlight: A Machine-Vision Approach to Transmission Electron Microscopy Workflows, Results Analysis and Data Management
Published on: June 23, 2023
3.6K
Related Concept Videos
01:15Transmission Electron Microscopy
7.5K
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...
7.5K
01:25Overview of Electron Microscopy
15.9K
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.
15.9K
01:20Immunogold Electron Microscopy
5.6K
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.
5.6K
01:07Electron Microscope Tomography and Single-particle Reconstruction
3.0K
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...
Electron Tomography
Electron tomography can be performed either in TEM or STEM (scanning transmission...
3.0K
01:07Scanning Electron Microscopy
5.7K
A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is used to study the surface features of a sample by using an electron beam that scans the sample surface in a two-dimensional manner. Typically, areas between ~1 centimeter to 5 micrometers in width can be imaged. SEM can be used to image bacteria, viruses, tissues as well as larger samples like insects. Conventional SEM gives a magnification ranging from 20X to 30,000X and spatial resolution of 50 to 100 nanometers.
Fundamental Principles
Accelerated...
Fundamental Principles
Accelerated...
5.7K