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Exploring skin structure using cryo-electron microscopy and tomography


European Journal of Dermatology. Volume 18, Number 3, 279-84, May-June 2008, Review article

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Author(s) : Lars Norlen

Summary : The lack of a molecular understanding, at the nanometer level, of skin biology represents one major obstacle towards the advancement of dermatology. High-resolution cryo-transmission electron microscopy (CEMOVIS) and tomography (CETOVIS) of vitreous skin sections can, however, be used to visualize the native molecular organisation of skin. Micrographs obtained by CEMOVIS show more detail and sometimes differ dramatically from those obtained by conventional methods. Further, molecular resolution (1.5-5 nm) 3D reconstructions of skin can be obtained when CEMOVIS is combined with tomography. In vitreous sections the native organization of skin may be preserved down to atomic resolution. CEMOVIS and CETOVIS are consequently ideally suited for molecular skin research.

Keywords : CEMOVIS, cryo-electron microscopy of vitreous sections, CETOVIS, cryo-electron tomography of vitreous sections, COMET, constrained maximum entropy tomography, CTF, contrast transfer function, PSF, point spread function

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