Putting molecules in their place

J Cell Biochem. 2014 Feb;115(2):209-16. doi: 10.1002/jcb.24658.

Abstract

Each class of microscope is limited to imaging specific aspects of cell structure and/or molecular organization. However, imaging the specimen by complementary microscopes and correlating the data can overcome this limitation. Whilst not a new approach, the field of correlative imaging is currently benefitting from the emergence of new microscope techniques. Here we describe the correlation of cryogenic fluorescence tomography (CFT) with soft X-ray tomography (SXT). This amalgamation of techniques integrates 3D molecular localization data (CFT) with a high-resolution, 3D cell reconstruction of the cell (SXT). Cells are imaged in both modalities in a near-native, cryopreserved state. Here we describe the current state of the art in correlative CFT-SXT, and discuss the future outlook for this method.

Keywords: CORRELATED IMAGING; FLUORESCENCE; MICROSCOPY; SOFT X-RAY; TOMOGRAPHY.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / methods*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / trends
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Tomography, X-Ray / methods*
  • Tomography, X-Ray / trends
  • Yeasts / ultrastructure*