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Scanning Electron Microscopy

Scanning Electron Microscopy

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.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 15, 2026

High-Resolution Respirometry to Assess Bioenergetics in Cells and Tissues Using Chamber- and Plate-Based Respirometers

High-Resolution Respirometry to Assess Bioenergetics in Cells and Tissues Using Chamber- and Plate-Based Respirometers

Published on: October 26, 2021

Can Single Cell Respiration be Measured by Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM)?

Kelsey Cremin¹, Gabriel N Meloni¹, Dimitrios Valavanis¹

¹Bio-Electrical Engineering Innovation Hub, Department of Chemistry, Molecular Analytical Science Centre for Doctoral Training (MAS CDT), School of Life Sciences, the University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom.

ACS Measurement Science Au

|October 23, 2023

Summary

Single-cell respiration measurements using ultramicroelectrode probes face sensitivity challenges. Current techniques struggle to detect oxygen consumption rates at the single-cell level, requiring significant improvements for realization.

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Last Updated: Jun 15, 2026

High-Resolution Respirometry to Assess Bioenergetics in Cells and Tissues Using Chamber- and Plate-Based Respirometers

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Electron Spin Resonance Micro-imaging of Live Species for Oxygen Mapping

Electron Spin Resonance Micro-imaging of Live Species for Oxygen Mapping

Published on: August 26, 2010

Area of Science:

Electrochemical biosensing
Single-cell analysis
Cellular respiration measurement

Background:

Ultramicroelectrode (UME) probes are vital for single-cell physiological measurements, including metabolic activity.
Key challenges include the small signal magnitude from single cells and UME response instability over time.
Accurate measurement of cellular respiration rates, specifically oxygen consumption rate (OCR), is crucial for understanding cell function.

Purpose of the Study:

To systematically analyze measurement conditions impacting the precision of electrochemical single-cell respiration rate determination.
To evaluate the feasibility of measuring single-cell oxygen consumption rates (OCR) using scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM).
To identify limitations and suggest improvements for UME-based single-cell metabolic measurements.

Main Methods:

Employed scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) with a platinum ultramicroelectrode (UME) probe.
Utilized a self-referencing measurement protocol involving repeated UME approach to single HeLa cells.
Combined SECM experiments with finite element method (FEM) modeling to simulate oxygen diffusion and UME response.

Main Results:

Single-cell oxygen consumption rates (OCR) are at or below the current detection sensitivity of the SECM technique.
Realistic OCR values for single cells (1 × 10^-18 to 1 × 10^-16 mol s^-1) were found to be challenging to measure accurately.
The self-referencing protocol minimized electrochemical interference with the cell while enabling comparative measurements.

Conclusions:

Current SECM techniques, even with a self-referencing protocol, lack the sensitivity for reliable single-cell OCR measurements.
Significant advancements in UME stability and measurement precision are necessary for future single-cell metabolic studies.
Model-based suggestions are provided to guide future development of more sensitive electrochemical single-cell analysis tools.