Electron microscopy: use of transmission and scanning electron microscopy to study cells in culture

Standard techniques for electron microscopy were developed for tissues dissected from animals. Optimal methods for electron microscopy of cells in culture are different. This chapter describes methods for processing cells grown on plastic or in suspension. Both transmission and scanning electron microscopy are discussed. The focus is on the procedures for fixation, dehydration, embedding, and staining, which will help the reader to obtain superior electron micrographs of cultured cells.