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

Electron Microscope Tomography and Single-particle Reconstruction01:07

Electron Microscope Tomography and Single-particle Reconstruction

2.6K
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...
2.6K
Cryo-electron Microscopy01:28

Cryo-electron Microscopy

3.7K
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...
3.7K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

A hierarchical, compact and efficient phenanthrene supramolecular polymer light harvesting antenna.

Journal of materials chemistry. C·2026
Same author

Streamlined correlative live-confocal and SBF-SEM imaging reveals early inflammatory dendritic changes induced by microglia.

Journal of neuroscience methods·2026
Same author

Differentiated SH-SY5Y cells exhibit neuronal features but lack synaptic maturity.

Cell death discovery·2026
Same author

Identification and structural characterization of anthrax toxin receptor 2 as the Clostridium perfringens NetF receptor.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Cryo-correlative light and electron tomography of dopaminergic axonal varicosities reveals non-synaptic modulation of cortico-striatal synapses.

Nature communications·2025
Same author

Assessing the Potential of NGF-Differentiated PC12 Cells as a Model for Synaptic Transmission.

Molecular neurobiology·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 29, 2025

Preparation of Primary Neurons for Visualizing Neurites in a Frozen-hydrated State Using Cryo-Electron Tomography
09:59

Preparation of Primary Neurons for Visualizing Neurites in a Frozen-hydrated State Using Cryo-Electron Tomography

Published on: February 12, 2014

79.4K

Neurons as a model system for cryo-electron tomography.

Benoît Zuber1, Vladan Lučić2

  • 1Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland.

Journal of Structural Biology: X
|March 21, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Cryo-electron tomography (Cryo-ET) images cellular structures in native states. This review highlights neurons as a versatile model for studying general cell components and neuron-specific functions like synaptic transmission using Cryo-ET.

Keywords:
Cryo-electron tomographyElectron microscopyNeuronsSynapses

More Related Videos

Strategies for Optimization of Cryogenic Electron Tomography Data Acquisition
08:16

Strategies for Optimization of Cryogenic Electron Tomography Data Acquisition

Published on: March 19, 2021

4.6K
Micropatterning Transmission Electron Microscopy Grids to Direct Cell Positioning within Whole-Cell Cryo-Electron Tomography Workflows
09:53

Micropatterning Transmission Electron Microscopy Grids to Direct Cell Positioning within Whole-Cell Cryo-Electron Tomography Workflows

Published on: September 13, 2021

7.1K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 29, 2025

Preparation of Primary Neurons for Visualizing Neurites in a Frozen-hydrated State Using Cryo-Electron Tomography
09:59

Preparation of Primary Neurons for Visualizing Neurites in a Frozen-hydrated State Using Cryo-Electron Tomography

Published on: February 12, 2014

79.4K
Strategies for Optimization of Cryogenic Electron Tomography Data Acquisition
08:16

Strategies for Optimization of Cryogenic Electron Tomography Data Acquisition

Published on: March 19, 2021

4.6K
Micropatterning Transmission Electron Microscopy Grids to Direct Cell Positioning within Whole-Cell Cryo-Electron Tomography Workflows
09:53

Micropatterning Transmission Electron Microscopy Grids to Direct Cell Positioning within Whole-Cell Cryo-Electron Tomography Workflows

Published on: September 13, 2021

7.1K

Area of Science:

  • Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Microscopy Techniques

Background:

  • Cryo-electron tomography (Cryo-ET) enables high-resolution imaging of cellular components in their native environments.
  • Neurons are complex cells crucial for biological function, but their intricate structures pose imaging challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the application of Cryo-ET for investigating neuronal structures and functions.
  • To highlight the potential of neuronal systems for advancing Cryo-ET methodologies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing Cryo-ET studies applied to various cell types, with a focus on neurons.
  • Analysis of Cryo-ET data from neuronal samples to assess resolution and information content.

Main Results:

  • Neurons are suitable for Cryo-ET, revealing general cellular components like the cytoskeleton and organelles.
  • Cryo-ET successfully visualizes neuron-specific processes, including synaptic transmission.
  • Synaptic environments are ideal for developing advanced Cryo-ET image processing tools.

Conclusions:

  • Cryo-ET is a powerful tool for high-resolution imaging of neurons in their native state.
  • Neurons offer a versatile platform for both biological discovery and methodological development in Cryo-ET.
  • Further development of Cryo-ET tools is needed to fully elucidate complex macromolecular assemblies in neuronal signaling.