As our knowledge of biological function at the nano scale continues to grow, so too will our understanding of pathological dysfunctions. High resolution TEM imaging has long been used by pathologists to provide definitive diagnoses of certain diseases that are characterized by morphological changes too small to be resolved by light microscopy. Examples include membrane thickness variations in kidney disease, mitochondrial changes in muscle disorders, cilia in neonatal lung disease, as well as certain skin cancers and viral infections. In other cases electron microscopy is used to corroborate other diagnostic techniques. The use of TEM in medical diagnosis will surely increase as our knowledge of nanobiology continues to grow.
The direct and immediate human impact of diagnostic results makes accuracy and reliability paramount concerns, and puts high value on image quality. The ability to share digital images instantly, across the hall or across ocean is also important in the collaborative environment of modern medicine. Automated analysis of digital images is becoming increasingly common in medical diagnostics, as evidenced by the growth of techniques such as digital mammography. Advances in automation and sample preparation promise further improvements in the speed and reliability of TEM analysis. Finally, dramatic progress in the development of genetic and immunological based markers is stimulating interest in correlative techniques that would allow rapid localization of marked structures for high resolution TEM imaging.
FEI's Morgagni™ and Tecnai™ Spirit are widely used in pathology and medical diagnostic applications:
- The Morgagni 268, a transmission electron microscope (TEM) contains required functionality, including digital imaging and an easy-to-use microscope interface.
- The Tecnai Spirit provides a higher degree of automated microscope functionality, more options for digital cameras, integrated image management and more capabilities for future upgrades. It also guarantees access to tomography as well as to cryo electron microscopy to image samples in 3D and under cryo conditions.
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