2019 Volume 54 Issue 1 Pages 24-30
The advancement in volume imaging using scanning electron microscopy has made three dimensional ultrastructural analyses of biological specimens more widely available in life science. On the other hand, problems of artifacts are caused in scanning electron microscopic observation by charging and sample damages of biological specimens with low conductivity and contrast. In order to overcome these problems, development and modification of sample preparation methods and electron microscopic devices which reduce charging in microscopic chambers have been reported. These advancements led to compensation of charging, reduction of sample damages during sectioning and observation, and acquisition of data at high signal-to-noise-ratio and/or resolution. Further development of these technologies would improve three dimensional ultrastructural analyses of biological specimens at better scale, quality and throughput, and pave the way to the deeper understanding of structural information which supports biological functions in living organisms.
