Near-infrared branding efficiently correlates light and electron microscopy

Nat Methods. 2011 Jun 5;8(7):568-70. doi: 10.1038/nmeth.1622.

Abstract

The correlation of light and electron microscopy of complex tissues remains a major challenge. Here we report near-infrared branding (NIRB), which facilitates such correlation by using a pulsed, near-infrared laser to create defined fiducial marks in three dimensions in fixed tissue. As these marks are fluorescent and can be photo-oxidized to generate electron contrast, they can guide re-identification of previously imaged structures as small as dendritic spines by electron microscopy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cerebral Cortex / ultrastructure
  • Electrons
  • Fiducial Markers*
  • Fluorescence
  • Infrared Rays*
  • Kidney Tubules / ultrastructure
  • Lasers*
  • Lymph Nodes / ultrastructure
  • Macrophages / ultrastructure
  • Mice
  • Microscopy / methods*
  • Microscopy, Electron / methods*
  • Tissue Fixation