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Related Concept Videos

Cryo-electron Microscopy01:28

Cryo-electron Microscopy

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...
Electron Microscope Tomography and Single-particle Reconstruction01:07

Electron Microscope Tomography and Single-particle Reconstruction

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...

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Workflow Using a Cryogenic Coincident Fluorescence, Electron, and Ion Beam Microscope for Targeted Milling of Cells
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Published on: October 17, 2025

Imaging of biofilms using cryo-scanning electron microscopy.

Saskia E Bakker1

  • 1Advanced Bioimaging RTP, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.

Essays in Biochemistry
|June 1, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Cryo-scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM) offers a native-like view of fragile biofilms, overcoming challenges in imaging these complex microbial structures. This review details the cryo-SEM workflow for diverse biofilm research.

Keywords:
biofilmcryo-scanning electron microscopyelectron microscopyexperimental designworkflow

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Published on: January 25, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Microscopy
  • Microbiology
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Biofilms present significant microscopy challenges due to size, fragility, and substrate variability.
  • Cryo-scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM) preserves native structures, unlike room temperature SEM.
  • Cryo-SEM is established for environmental and food biofilms but underutilized for medical biofilms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of the cryo-scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM) workflow for biofilm imaging.
  • To highlight equipment options and discuss the advantages and limitations of each step.
  • To guide researchers in applying cryo-SEM to various biofilm types, including medically relevant ones.

Main Methods:

  • Cryo-scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM) workflow involves sample freezing (high-pressure, plunge, or slush nitrogen).
  • Subsequent steps include fracturing, sublimation, and coating before imaging.
  • Review of cryo-SEM equipment and methodologies for biofilm analysis.

Main Results:

  • Cryo-SEM provides rapid sample preparation, yielding native-like biofilm structures.
  • The technique is suitable for imaging microbiological components in various contexts.
  • Discussion of specific workflow steps' suitability for different biofilm research.

Conclusions:

  • Cryo-SEM is a powerful technique for visualizing biofilms with minimal structural distortion.
  • Understanding the cryo-SEM workflow is crucial for successful biofilm imaging.
  • Further application of cryo-SEM to medically relevant biofilms is encouraged.