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Serial block face scanning electron microscopy—the future of cell ultrastructure imaging

  • Special Issue: New/Emerging Techniques in Biological Microscopy
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Abstract

One of the major drawbacks in transmission electron microscopy has been the production of three-dimensional views of cells and tissues. Currently, there is no one suitable 3D microscopy technique that answers all questions and serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SEM) fills the gap between 3D imaging using high-end fluorescence microscopy and the high resolution offered by electron tomography. In this review, we discuss the potential of the serial block face SEM technique for studying the three-dimensional organisation of animal, plant and microbial cells.

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Acknowledgments

Work here was supported by BBSRC new investigator grant to Dr Sue Vaughan.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological & Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Headington, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK

    Louise Hughes, Chris Hawes & Sue Vaughan

  2. Gatan UK, 25 Nuffield Way, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 1RL, UK

    Sandy Monteith

Authors
  1. Louise Hughes
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  2. Chris Hawes
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  3. Sandy Monteith
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  4. Sue Vaughan
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Correspondence to Sue Vaughan.

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Handling Editor: David Robinson

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Hughes, L., Hawes, C., Monteith, S. et al. Serial block face scanning electron microscopy—the future of cell ultrastructure imaging. Protoplasma 251, 395–401 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-013-0580-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-013-0580-1

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