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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Serial Block-Face Scanning Electron Microscopy SBEM for the Study of Dendritic Spines
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Correlating light microscopy with serial block face scanning electron microscopy to study mitotic spindle

Nicholas I Clarke1, Stephen J Royle1

  • 1Centre for Mechanochemical Cell Biology, Warwick Medical School, Coventry, United Kingdom.

Methods in Cell Biology
|June 30, 2018
PubMed
Summary

Serial block face-scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) offers high-resolution 3D imaging of the mitotic spindle. This technique aids in understanding chromosome segregation during cell division by visualizing key structures like microtubules and kinetochores.

Keywords:
Electron microscopyImagingKinetochoresLight microscopyMicrotubulesMitotic spindleSBF-SEMScanning electron microscopySpatial statistics

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Microscopy Techniques

Background:

  • The mitotic spindle is crucial for accurate chromosome segregation during cell division.
  • High-resolution imaging is essential for understanding the molecular mechanisms of mitotic spindle function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline methods for using correlative SBF-SEM to study mitotic spindle architecture in 3D.
  • To highlight SBF-SEM as a valuable tool for high-resolution cellular ultrastructure visualization.

Main Methods:

  • Serial block face-scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) for ultrastructural imaging of entire cells.
  • Correlative light and electron microscopy to link dynamic events with high-resolution structure.
  • 3D reconstruction and segmentation of SBF-SEM data.

Main Results:

  • SBF-SEM provides a resolution gap between light microscopy and TEM.
  • SBF-SEM allows for rapid processing, imaging, and segmentation of samples compared to TEM tomography.
  • Successful visualization of mitotic spindle components including microtubules, kinetochores, centrosomes, and chromosomes in 3D.

Conclusions:

  • SBF-SEM is an effective method for high-resolution 3D imaging of the mitotic spindle.
  • Combining SBF-SEM with light microscopy enables the study of dynamic cellular events at the ultrastructural level.
  • This approach facilitates a deeper understanding of mitotic spindle architecture and function.