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Advances in Neuroscience Using Transmission Electron Microscopy: A Historical Perspective
Book chapter   Peer reviewed

Advances in Neuroscience Using Transmission Electron Microscopy: A Historical Perspective

Jingyi Zhang, Beverly A. S. Reyes, Jennifer A. Ross, Victoria Trovillion and Elisabeth J. Van Bockstaele
Transmission Electron Microscopy Methods for Understanding the Brain, pp 1-20
21 May 2016
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/7657_2016_101

Abstract

3D reconstruction Cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) Immunocytochemistry (ICC) Neuroscience Tract tracing Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
Unlike light and fluorescence microscopy techniques that may provide only limited resolution, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) allows enhanced subcellular precision by enabling high resolution of varied specimens. Although the first TEM was invented in 1931, the widespread use of TEM for biological studies did not start until the 1940’s. From that time onward, TEM has revolutionized our knowledge and understanding of cellular processes. More importantly, the use of TEM has greatly advanced neuroscience research by defining the presence of synaptic specializations, the organization of synaptic vesicles, the identification of protein machinery in dendrites, and neural circuit organization. Combined with the use of autoradiography, immunocytochemistry, tract-tracing among others, the neurochemical signature of defined synaptic circuits have been characterized. Thus, with TEM’s enormous investigative power, it will continue to serve as a major analytical tool in both physical and biological research. This Chapter describes seminal events utilizing TEM that have provided tremendous advances in field of neuroscience.

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