Immune electron microscopy

An electron micrograph of many rotavirus particles, two of which have several smaller, black spheres which appear to be attached to them
Electron micrograph of gold nanoparticles attached to rotaviruses. The small dark circular objects are gold nanoparticles coated with a monoclonal antibody specific for rotavirus protein VP6.

Immune electron microscopy (more often called immunoelectron microscopy) is the equivalent of immunofluorescence, but it uses electron microscopy rather than light microscopy.[1] Immunoelectron microscopy identifies and localizes a molecule of interest, specifically a protein of interest, by attaching it to a particular antibody. This bond can form before or after embedding the cells into slides. A reaction occurs between the antigen and antibody, causing this label to become visible under the microscope. Scanning electron microscopy is a viable option if the antigen is on the surface of the cell, but transmission electron microscopy may be needed to see the label if the antigen is within the cell.[2]

  1. ^ Lodish, Harvey; Berk, Arnold; Kaiser, Chris; Krieger, Monty; Bretscher, Anthony; Ploegh, Hidde; Amon, Angelika; Martin, Kelsey (April 1, 2016). Molecular Cell Biology (8 ed.). W.H. Freeman. ISBN 978-1464183393.
  2. ^ "Immuno-Electron Microscopy Services at the Core Electron Microscopy Facility - UMASS Medical School". UMass Chan Medical School. 2 November 2013. Retrieved 5 December 2022.