Transmission electron microscopy is a technique for observing the fine details of organelles in cells or tissues. This protocol is to be used to exam the membrane structure in cells with or without virus infection. Modifications should be made if users want to get images from tissues.
Propylene oxide (Merk, catalog number: S4912527-745 ) Note: Toxic, need to handle with care and collect after use.
Syringe
Dropper
Grid (200 mesh) (TAAB)
0.1 M Phosphate buffer (PB) (see Recipes)
Paraformaldehyde (4% in PB) (Bionovas, catalog number: AP0130-0500 ) (see Recipes)
Osimium tetraoxide (1% in PB) (Electron microscopy sciences, catalog number: 51007 ) (see Recipes) Note: Toxic, need to handle with care and collect after use.
Epon (see Recipes)
Toluidune Blue (Sigma-Aldrich, catalog number: NO202-146-2) (see Recipes)
Uranyl acetate (Art, catalog number: 8473) (see Recipes)
Lead citrate (TAAB, catalog number: L003 ) (see Recipes)
Readers should cite both the Bio-protocol article and the original research article where this protocol was used:
Peng, W., Lu, K., Lai, S., Shy, H. and Kung, H. (2013). Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) Protocol: Observation Details within Cells. Bio-protocol 3(13): e816. DOI: 10.21769/BioProtoc.816.
Lee, C. P., Liu, P. T., Kung, H. N., Su, M. T., Chua, H. H., Chang, Y. H., Chang, C. W., Tsai, C. H., Liu, F. T. and Chen, M. R. (2012). The ESCRT machinery is recruited by the viral BFRF1 protein to the nucleus-associated membrane for the maturation of Epstein-Barr Virus. PLoS Pathog 8(9): e1002904.