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Electron tomography of cells

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 November 2011

Lu Gan  and
Grant J. Jensen
Lu Gan
Affiliation:
Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
Grant J. Jensen*
Affiliation:
Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA Howard Hughes Medical Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
*
*Author for correspondence: G. J. Jensen. Tel.: (626) 395 – 8827; Fax: (626) 395 – 5730; Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

The electron microscope has contributed deep insights into biological structure since its invention nearly 80 years ago. Advances in instrumentation and methodology in recent decades have now enabled electron tomography to become the highest resolution three-dimensional (3D) imaging technique available for unique objects such as cells. Cells can be imaged either plastic-embedded or frozen-hydrated. Then the series of projection images are aligned and back-projected to generate a 3D reconstruction or ‘tomogram’. Here, we review how electron tomography has begun to reveal the molecular organization of cells and how the existing and upcoming technologies promise even greater insights into structural cell biology.

Type
Review Article
Information
Quarterly Reviews of Biophysics , Volume 45 , Issue 1 , February 2012 , pp. 27 - 56
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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