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3D Electron Microscopy Based on Cryo-Electron Tomography

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Encyclopedia of Biophysics

Synonyms

Cryo-electron microscopy; Cryo-electron tomography; Electron cryo-tomography; Electron microscopy

Definitions

Tomogram: Three-dimensional image obtained by tomography.

Tomography: A procedure where images recorded at different sample orientations are computationally merged to form a tomogram.

Cryo-electron tomography: A procedure where fully hydrated, vitrified samples are imaged by electron tomography.

Introduction

In cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET), frozen-hydrated, vitrified samples are imaged by electron tomography. Electron micrographs obtained at different sample orientations are computationally merged into a tomogram, allowing three-dimensional (3D) visualization of biological materials at molecular resolution. Conceptually, cryo-ET procedure can be divided into steps carried out under cryo-conditions (sample preparation and imaging) and the computational steps (image processing and interpretation), as indicated in Fig. 1.

3D Electron Microscopy Based on...

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Correspondence to Vladan Lučić .

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© 2013 European Biophysical Societies' Association (EBSA)

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Lučić, V., Baumeister, W.P. (2013). 3D Electron Microscopy Based on Cryo-Electron Tomography. In: Roberts, G.C.K. (eds) Encyclopedia of Biophysics. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-16712-6_618

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