Electron Microscopy of Cellular Ultrastructure in Three Dimensions

Electron microscopy in three dimensions (3D) of cells and tissues can be essential for understanding the ultrastructural aspects of biological processes. The quest for 3D information reveals challenges at many stages of the workflow, from sample preparation, to imaging, data analysis and segmentation. Here, we outline several available methods, including volume SEM imaging, cryo-TEM and cryo-STEM tomography, each one occupying a different domain in the basic tradeoff between field-of-view and resolution. We discuss the considerations for choosing a suitable method depending on research needs and highlight recent developments that are essential for making 3D volume imaging of cells and tissues a standard tool for cellular and structural biologists.