Transmission Electron Microscopy relies on the transmission of a high-energy electron beam through an ultra-thin sample (typically less than 100 nm thick) to produce high-resolution images. Electrons, due to their extremely short wavelengths, can resolve fine structural details that are inaccessible to light-based microscopy. TEM generates an in-depth view of the internal structure of the specimen.

Electron microscopes operate at vacuum so biological samples must be prepared in a specific way. Sample preparation is often a complex and delicate process for TEM, particularly due to the requirement for ultrathin specimens. Innovative sample preparation methods minimise potential sample damage or artifacts.

Applications

• Internal cellular architecture
• Cell-to-cell interactions
• Relationships of cells with extracellular materials
• Nanobiology, nanomedicine
• Drug delivery (eg liposomes, coated nanoparticles)
• Gene transfer technology (eg virus)

Some of the publications featuring TEM applications:

 

Equipment available

• JEOL JEM 1400Flash
• JEOL JEM F200