Biological serial block face scanning electron microscopy at improved z-resolution based on Monte Carlo model

Sci Rep. 2018 Aug 28;8(1):12985. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-31231-w.

Abstract

Serial block-face electron microscopy (SBEM) provides nanoscale 3D ultrastructure of embedded and stained cells and tissues in volumes of up to 107 µm3. In SBEM, electrons with 1-3 keV energies are incident on a specimen block, from which backscattered electron (BSE) images are collected with x, y resolution of 5-10 nm in the block-face plane, and successive layers are removed by an in situ ultramicrotome. Spatial resolution along the z-direction, however, is limited to around 25 nm by the minimum cutting thickness. To improve the z-resolution, we have extracted depth information from BSE images acquired at dual primary beam energies, using Monte Carlo simulations of electron scattering. The relationship between depth of stain and ratio of dual-energy BSE intensities enables us to determine 3D structure with a ×2 improvement in z-resolution. We demonstrate the technique by sub-slice imaging of hepatocyte membranes in liver tissue.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods*
  • Liver / ultrastructure*
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / methods*
  • Monte Carlo Method