Focused ion beamed (FIB) SEM has a higher spatial resolution than other volume-imaging methods owing to the use of ion beams. However, in this method, it is challenging to analyse entire biological structures buried deep in the resin block. We developed a novel volume-imaging method by combining array tomography and FIB-SEM tomography and investigated the chondrocyte ultrastructure. Our method imparts certainty in determining the analysis area such that cracks or areas with poor staining within the block are avoided. The chondrocyte surface showed fine dendritic processes that were thinner than ultrathin sections. Upon combination with immunostaining, this method holds promise for analysing mesoscopic architectures.
Keywords: FIB-SEM; array tomography; mesoscopic architecture; serial block-face scanning electron microscopy; three-dimensional analysis; volume imaging.
© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Japanese Society of Microscopy.