Putting Molecules in Their Place

Abstract

Each class of microscope is limited to imaging specific aspects of cell structure and/or molecular organization. However, imaging the specimen by complementary microscopes and correlating the data can overcome this limitation. Whilst not a new approach, the field of correlative imaging is currently benefitting from the emergence of new microscope techniques. Here we describe the correlation of cryogenic fluorescence tomography (CFT) with soft X‐ray tomography (SXT). This amalgamation of techniques integrates 3D molecular localization data (CFT) with a high‐resolution, 3D cell reconstruction of the cell (SXT). Cells are imaged in both modalities in a near‐native, cryopreserved state. Here we describe the current state of the art in correlative CFT‐SXT, and discuss the future outlook for this method. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 209–216, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.