MICROSCOPY Vol.43▶No.4 2008
■Feature Articles: Application of High Voltage Electron Microscopy for Biomedical Science

High Voltage Electron Microscopy for Three-Dimensional Structure of Neuron and Glia in the Olfactory Bulb

Kazunori Toida, Emi Kiyokage and Tasuo Arii

Abstract: Biological applications of high voltage electron microscopy (HVEM) enable us to examine thick sections embedded in epoxy resin by high energy/accelerating voltage. With this advantage, we can reveal three-dimensional (3D) structure of cell and tissue embedded in the thick section. Recent progress in computer analyses applied to HVEM has created a digital 3D-analysis called “tomography”, with which we can further analyze ultrastructure of neurons and glial cells organizing neural circuits in the brain more accurately. In this article, we would like to show some examples of our recent study by HVEM and discuss possibilities for the future.

Key words: High Voltage Electron Microscope, Olfactory Bulb, Neuron, Glia, Tomography