TOWARDS HIGH-RESOLUTION SEM OF BIOLOGICAL OBJECTS

The major task of biological high resolution SEM and TEM is to provide structural information for correlating structure and function. It is the only methodology with the inherent power needed to observe structures down to molecular dimensions within the context of complex biological systems. Specimen preparation and imaging techniques should therefore be directed towards the preservation and imaging of the smallest significant details in order to fully exploit this unique, integrating feature of biological electron microscopy, complementing the progress of the techniques used in cell biology, biochemistry, and molecular biology.