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Sample Shrinkage and Radiation Damage of Plastic Sections

  • Chapter
Electron Tomography

Abstract

Just as fossil insects embalmed in amber are extraordinarily preserved, so are biological samples that have been embedded in plastic for electron microscopy. The success of embedding samples in plastic lies in the astounding resilience of the sections in the electron microscope, albeit after initial changes. The electron microscope image results from projection of the sample density in the direction of the beam, i.e. through the depth of the section, and therefore is independent of physical changes in this direction. In contrast, the basis of electron tomography is the constancy of the physical state of the whole section during the time that different views at incremental tilt angle steps are recorded.

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  1. Biomedical Sciences Division, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2AZ, UK

    Pradeep K. Luther

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  1. Wadsworth Center and State University of New York, Albany, NY, 10201, USA

    Joachim Frank

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Luther, P.K. (2007). Sample Shrinkage and Radiation Damage of Plastic Sections. In: Frank, J. (eds) Electron Tomography. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-69008-7_2

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