Biological ultrastructure research; the first 50 years
2004; Elsevier BV; Volume: 36; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/j.tice.2003.11.001
ISSN1532-3072
AutoresBjörn A. Afzelius, Arvid B. Maunsbach,
Tópico(s)Enzyme Structure and Function
ResumoThe second half of the 20th century has witnessed the birth and growth of biological ultrastructure research—a branch of cell biology in which electron microscopy plays an important role. After a humble start in around 1950, when only a limited arsenal of instrumentation was available, a wealth of auxiliary methodologies were developed and gradually put in use. Here we review these techniques: ultramicrotomy of 'optimally' fixed and prepared samples, histochemical methods such as immuno-electron microscopy and electron microscope autoradiography, negative staining techniques, freeze-fracturing and other techniques. Closer to the millenium shift, various cryotechniques have gradually developed. Together with computer-based reconstruction methods they are likely to play increasingly more important roles in the future.
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