Site Specific Three-dimensional Structural Analysis in Tissues and Cells Using Automated DualBeam Slice &View

Abstract

DualBeam instruments that combine the imaging capability of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with the cutting and deposition capability of a focused ion beam (FIB) provide biologists with a powerful tool for investigating three-dimensional structure with nanoscale (1 nm-100 nm) resolution. Ever since Van Leeuwenhoek used the first microscope to describe bacteria more than 300 years ago, microscopy has played a central role in scientists' efforts to understand biological systems. Light microscopy is generally limited to a useful resolution of about a micrometer. More recently the use of confocal and electron microscopy has enabled investigations at higher resolution. Used with fluorescent markers, confocal microscopy can detect and localize molecular scale features, but its imaging resolution is still limited. SEM is capable of nanometer resolution, but is limited to the near surface region of the sample.