Basic techniques in fluorescence and electron microscopy

Abstract

The primitive red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae is a single cell with a very small size (1.5-2 μm) and has no thick cell wall; therefore, preparation of samples for fluorescence and electron microscopy requires different procedures compared to those for green algae or higher plants. Here, fluorescence microscopy methods, such as cell staining with fluorescent dye and the setup of the immunofluorescence microscope, are described. For electron microscopy, methods for transmission electron microscopy, immunoelectron microscopy, and negative staining methods are described. In addition, scanning electron microscopy methods for visualizing cells or organelles are presented.