Correlative Light Electron Microscopy: Connecting Synaptic Structure and Function

Many core paradigms of contemporary neuroscience are based on information obtained by electron or light microscopy. Intriguingly, these two imaging techniques are often viewed as complementary, yet separate entities. Recent technological advancements in microscopy techniques, labeling tools and fi...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Isabell Begemann, Milos Galic
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2016-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience
Subjects:
Online Access:http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fnsyn.2016.00028/full
Description
Summary:Many core paradigms of contemporary neuroscience are based on information obtained by electron or light microscopy. Intriguingly, these two imaging techniques are often viewed as complementary, yet separate entities. Recent technological advancements in microscopy techniques, labeling tools and fixation or preparation procedures have fueled the development of a series of hybrid approaches that allow correlating functional fluorescence microscopy data and ultrastructural information from electron micrographs from a singular biological event. As correlative light electron microscopy (CLEM) approaches become increasingly accessible, long-standing neurobiological questions regarding structure-function relation are being revisited. In this review, we will survey what developments in electron and light microscopy have spurred the advent of correlative approaches, highlight the most relevant CLEM techniques that are currently available, and discuss its potential and limitations with respect to neuronal and synapse-specific applications.
ISSN:1663-3563