Scanning Electron Microscopy Techniques for the Life Sciences

Scanning electron microscopy for biological imaging

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is a versatile technology that enables the imaging and analysis of various sample sizes and types across different biological disciplines. Thermo Scientific SEMs provide excellent imaging quality, even for challenging materials or when observing minute details. These SEMs support a wide range of techniques and allow for dynamic experimentation, making them suitable for diverse biological research needs.

Large area 2D imaging of biological samples

Two-dimensional imaging using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is a powerful technique that allows for detailed visualization and analysis of the surface topography of various specimens. SEM utilizes a focused beam of electrons to scan the specimen's surface, generating high-resolution images. This method is particularly useful for studying the microstructure of biological specimens, providing valuable insights into their composition and organization at the cellular and subcellular levels.

Wide area view of murine kidney imaged by an Apreo 2 SEM and Maps Software for Array Tomography. Image is a single slice taken from a 3D volume stack.

Environmental SEM: surface topography under environmental conditions

Scanning electron microscopes, such as the Thermo Scientific Quattro ESEM, can image the surface topography of biological specimens while maintaining environmental conditions. This means that biological specimens can be analyzed in their natural hydrated state, even under extended pressures and with the presence of water vapor. As a result, fine surface details can be observed without any artifacts that may be caused by a dehydration process.

Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) is a special technique used to image biological samples in their natural, hydrated state. Unlike traditional SEM, ESEM can examine samples without dehydration. Special environmental chambers maintain a controlled, moist atmosphere. ESEM is valuable for the study of dynamic biological processes, such as the behavior of living cells, tissues, or microorganisms, and provides high-resolution images without extensive sample preparation.

Pollen imaged on the Quattro ESEM using the WetSTEM state. The pollen was kept hydrated and swollen.

Papillae on the upper surface of a rose flower petal captured in their hydrated, natural state. ESEM has preserved the sample, preventing any wrinkling or displacement of the papillae. Image courtesy of Mr. Marcos Rosado, Institut Catala de Nanociencia i Nanotecnologia.

Low-vacuum (800 Pa) ESEM image of hydrated mold spores.

Near-native imaging with cryo-SEM

The freezing of biological samples provides an alternative to chemical fixation for sample preparation. By vitrifying samples, the ultrastructure of cells and tissues can be preserved. This method allows the samples to remain fully hydrated, eliminating the need for fixatives or resin embedding.

Cryo-SEM image of Ixeris chinesis flower in pollination at 500x magnification. Image courtesy of Dr. Wann-Neng Jane, Academia Sinica

Volume electron microscopy: 3D biological imaging

Understanding the intricate 3D architecture of cells and tissues within their natural context is vital for establishing the correlation between structure and function in biological systems. In recent years, significant advancements have been made in SEM-based techniques for reconstructing large tissue volumes in 3D. One such technique is serial block-face SEM (SBF-SEM), which combines in situ sectioning and imaging of plastic-embedded tissue blocks within the SEM vacuum chamber. This automated method allows for the reconstruction of large tissue volumes in 3D. Another versatile microscopy method is array tomography, which enables the exploration of cell and tissue architectures in three dimensions. It offers the ability to image large tissue volumes with exceptional structural and molecular detail. Array tomography, with its expansive imaging field, is particularly well-suited for tissue histology.

Learn more about array tomography

Learn more about serial block-face imaging

Scanning transmission electron microscopy with SEM for life sciences research

Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) mode in SEM enables imaging of ultrathin resin embedded biological sections resulting in TEM-like images. While STEM systems have been available on TEM instruments for some time, they have not been commonly used for ultrastructural examination in cell biology and pathology. Yet now, scientists can achieve near-TEM quality images when studying thin, soft tissue samples using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Pairing a scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) detector in a SEM, users can obtain high-resolution images of soft tissues at low energy levels to get the contrast they need while preserving the structure of their samples.

STEM mode in SEM enables imaging of ultrathin resin embedded biological sections resulting in TEM-like images.

Correlative light and electron microscopy

Correlative light and electron microscopy is a combination of fluorescence microscopy with high-resolution electron microcopy. Thermo Scientific Maps Software allows the combination and correlation of data from multiple microscopes, light, SEM, FIB-SEM and TEM instruments for high-throughput data collection. Correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) workflow with Maps Software can combine microscopy (LM) images, with its comparably large field of view and fluorescence labels with electron microscopy (EM) data to obtain subcellular ultrastructural information. Additionally, Maps Software can automate the acquisition of a series of tiled images to create an overview of the sample. The resulting images can be stitched together automatically to form a single overview image.

Maps Software is an imaging and correlative workflow software suite compatible with the full line of Thermo Scientific SEM, FIB SEM and TEM platforms.

Maps software automates the acquisition of large overviews at high resolution and stitches the resulting tile set. Users can zoom between an overview and the native image resolution seamlessly. Section of a planarian worm, imaged on a Thermo Scientific Verios SEM in STEM mode. Sample courtesy of Melainia McClain, Stowers Institute for Medical Research.