Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Overview of Electron Microscopy

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.

Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Quantitative Analysis of Topographic Crosstalk in DART-ESM Arising from Feedback-Loop-Delay-Induced Contact Stiffness Variations in Battery Materials.

Small methods·2026

Same author

Enabling Facile Synthesis and High Sodium Ionic Conductivity in NZTO Solid Electrolyte by Substituting Fe<sup>3</sup>.

ChemSusChem·2026

Same author

Unveiling Copper-Induced Phase Transitions and Degradation Mechanisms of Transition Metal Sulfide Anodes for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)·2026

Same author

Multimodal Analysis of the Early Stage of Amyloid Formation via Graphene Liquid Cell Electron Microscopy.

Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)·2026

Same author

Pushing the Limits of High-Resolution Imaging in Liquid: The Rise of Graphene Liquid Cells in Electron Microscopy.

Nano letters·2025

Same author

Radiation Chemistry in Environmental Transmission Electron Microscopy.

ACS nano·2025

Same journal

Higher-Order Clustering of Receptors Real-Time Projected by Plasmon-ruler on the Single Live Cell.

Nano letters·2026

Same journal

Achieving Fermi-Level Depinning and Ideal Metal Contact in <i>β</i>-Ga<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> Devices via MXene Integration.

Nano letters·2026

Same journal

AI-Assisted Electron Microscopy in Structure-Performance Analysis of Advanced Catalysts: From Atomic Resolution to Statistical Significance.

Nano letters·2026

Same journal

Electrically Switchable Ultraslow Dispersionless Polaritons via Twist Engineering in van der Waals Heterostructures.

Nano letters·2026

Same journal

Correction to "Ultrasonication-Triggered Ubiquitous Assembly of Magnetic Janus Amphiphilic Nanoparticles in Cancer Theranostic Applications".

Nano letters·2026

Same journal

Tunable Proximity Valley Splitting Via Interfacial Exchange Pinning in WSe<sub>2</sub>-CrBr<sub>3</sub>-CrPS<sub>4</sub> Heterostructures.

Nano letters·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 22, 2025

Graphene Enclosure of Chemically Fixed Mammalian Cells for Liquid-Phase Electron Microscopy

Graphene Enclosure of Chemically Fixed Mammalian Cells for Liquid-Phase Electron Microscopy

Published on: September 21, 2020

Live Cell Electron Microscopy Using Graphene Veils.

Kunmo Koo¹, Kyun Seong Dae¹, Young Ki Hahn²

¹Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 355 Science Road, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.

|May 6, 2020

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Live-cell electron microscopy is now feasible using graphene veils, significantly enhancing electron dose resistivity for bacterial cells. This breakthrough allows for the observation of cellular structures and functions without damage, advancing biomolecular imaging.

Keywords:

bacteria imaging in situ electron microscopy radiation damage scanning electron microscopy

More Related Videos

Preparation of Graphene-Supported Microwell Liquid Cells for In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy

Preparation of Graphene-Supported Microwell Liquid Cells for In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy

Published on: July 15, 2019

Using Graphene Liquid Cell Transmission Electron Microscopy to Study in Situ Nanocrystal Etching

Using Graphene Liquid Cell Transmission Electron Microscopy to Study in Situ Nanocrystal Etching

Published on: May 17, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 22, 2025

Graphene Enclosure of Chemically Fixed Mammalian Cells for Liquid-Phase Electron Microscopy

Graphene Enclosure of Chemically Fixed Mammalian Cells for Liquid-Phase Electron Microscopy

Published on: September 21, 2020

Preparation of Graphene-Supported Microwell Liquid Cells for In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy

Preparation of Graphene-Supported Microwell Liquid Cells for In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy

Published on: July 15, 2019

Using Graphene Liquid Cell Transmission Electron Microscopy to Study in Situ Nanocrystal Etching

Using Graphene Liquid Cell Transmission Electron Microscopy to Study in Situ Nanocrystal Etching

Published on: May 17, 2018

Area of Science:

Biophysics
Cell Biology
Materials Science

Background:

Liquid electron microscopy visualizes wet biological specimens beyond optical limits.
The functionality of biomolecules during electron microscopy observation remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

To demonstrate the feasibility of live-cell electron microscopy using graphene veils.
To investigate the effect of graphene veils on the structural and functional integrity of live cells under electron microscopy.

Main Methods:

Utilized graphene veils to encapsulate live bacterial cells.
Performed electron microscopy experiments on encapsulated cells.
Assessed structural and functional integrity post-experiment.

Main Results:

Graphene veils increased the electron dose resistivity of live bacterial cells by 100-fold.
Cells maintained their structures and functions after electron microscopy experiments.
Demonstrated the protective effect of graphene veils during imaging.

Conclusions:

Graphene veils enable high-resolution imaging of live cells without compromising their functionality.
This technique provides guidelines for electron microscopy imaging of live cells and functional biomolecules.
Opens new possibilities for studying dynamic biological processes at the nanoscale.