Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy01:20

Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy

6.1K
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...
6.1K
Transmission Electron Microscopy01:15

Transmission Electron Microscopy

6.2K
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...
6.2K
Fixation and Sectioning01:03

Fixation and Sectioning

6.7K
Two basic types of preparation are used to visualize specimens with a light microscope: wet mounts and fixed specimens.
The simplest type of preparation is the wet mount, in which the specimen is placed in a drop of liquid on the slide. A liquid specimen can be directly deposited on the slide using a dropper. Solid specimens, such as skin scraping, can be placed on the slide before adding a drop of liquid to prepare the wet mount. Sometimes the liquid is simply water, but stains are often added...
6.7K
Overview of Electron Microscopy01:25

Overview of Electron Microscopy

12.0K
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.
12.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Uncovering mitotic ultrastructure in the native hair follicle using volume electron microscopy.

Journal of cell science·2026
Same author

Cryo-EM structure of bacteriophage Bas63 reveals structural conservation and diversity in the <i>Felixounavirus</i> genus.

Science advances·2025
Same author

Cryo-EM structure of the Seneca Valley virus A-particle and related structural states.

Journal of virology·2025
Same author

Synthetic host defense peptide inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication <i>in vitro</i>.

Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy·2025
Same author

Global structural survey of the flagellotropic myophage φTE infecting agricultural pathogen Pectobacterium atrosepticum.

Nature communications·2025
Same author

Expression and Purification of SARS-related Spike Glycoproteins for Cryo-EM Analysis.

Current protocols·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 25, 2025

A Method for Obtaining Serial Ultrathin Sections of Microorganisms in Transmission Electron Microscopy
09:46

A Method for Obtaining Serial Ultrathin Sections of Microorganisms in Transmission Electron Microscopy

Published on: January 17, 2018

14.6K

Processing hair follicles for transmission electron microscopy.

Sailakshmi Velamoor1,2, Allan Mitchell3, Mihnea Bostina2,3

  • 1Proteins and Metabolites, AgResearch Limited, Lincoln, New Zealand.

Experimental Dermatology
|August 5, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) preparation methods can damage hair follicle structures. This review examines how fixation, dehydration, and embedding impact ultrastructure, exploring cryofixation as an alternative.

Keywords:
TEMfixationhair follicleultrastructure

More Related Videos

A Human Fallopian Tube Model for Investigation of C. trachomatis Infections
09:11

A Human Fallopian Tube Model for Investigation of C. trachomatis Infections

Published on: August 11, 2012

13.2K
Three-dimensional Characterization of Interorganelle Contact Sites in Hepatocytes using Serial Section Electron Microscopy
09:12

Three-dimensional Characterization of Interorganelle Contact Sites in Hepatocytes using Serial Section Electron Microscopy

Published on: June 9, 2022

6.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 25, 2025

A Method for Obtaining Serial Ultrathin Sections of Microorganisms in Transmission Electron Microscopy
09:46

A Method for Obtaining Serial Ultrathin Sections of Microorganisms in Transmission Electron Microscopy

Published on: January 17, 2018

14.6K
A Human Fallopian Tube Model for Investigation of C. trachomatis Infections
09:11

A Human Fallopian Tube Model for Investigation of C. trachomatis Infections

Published on: August 11, 2012

13.2K
Three-dimensional Characterization of Interorganelle Contact Sites in Hepatocytes using Serial Section Electron Microscopy
09:12

Three-dimensional Characterization of Interorganelle Contact Sites in Hepatocytes using Serial Section Electron Microscopy

Published on: June 9, 2022

6.0K

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Microscopy Techniques
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is crucial for understanding hair growth and follicle development.
  • Traditional TEM sample preparation methods, including fixation, dehydration, and embedding, can introduce artifacts and compromise cellular ultrastructure.
  • Preserving the native state of biological samples is essential for accurate ultrastructural analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically review the impact of each TEM sample preparation stage on hair follicle structural integrity.
  • To evaluate the limitations of current cryofixation techniques for hair follicle ultrastructure.
  • To identify optimal preparation strategies for high-fidelity TEM imaging of hair follicles.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on TEM sample preparation techniques for biological tissues.
  • Analysis of studies detailing the effects of chemical fixation, dehydration agents, and embedding resins on cellular morphology.
  • Examination of cryofixation methodologies and their outcomes in preserving ultrastructure.

Main Results:

  • Chemical fixation, dehydration, and embedding processes are shown to induce significant structural alterations in hair follicles.
  • While cryofixation offers improved preservation, it presents its own set of challenges and limitations.
  • Specific artifacts associated with each preparation step have been identified and documented.

Conclusions:

  • Standard TEM preparation significantly compromises hair follicle ultrastructure, potentially leading to misinterpretation of biological processes.
  • Cryofixation represents a promising advancement but requires further optimization for routine hair follicle analysis.
  • Careful consideration and selection of TEM sample preparation methods are vital for accurate investigation of hair follicle biology.