magnification of transmission electron microscope

The Significance of Magnification in Transmission Electron Microscopy

Prior to the development of transmission electron microscopy, cells and bacteria could only be observed under light microscopy, with viruses being virtually invisible except for poxviruses. However, the combination of EM and gold-labelled antibodies has revolutionized our ability to localize bacterial and viral antigens at the ultrastructural level.

Electron microscopy has also played a crucial role in understanding the structure and function of various bacterial features such as flagellae, fimbriae, and spores. In addition, it has been instrumental in the study of bacteriophages, which are viruses that infect bacteria.

While EM may not be particularly useful for diagnostic purposes in bacteriology, it is still a vital tool in many areas, including the national emergency response programs of many countries. Its ability to provide a rapid and sensitive diagnostic service makes it an essential asset in the event of a bioterrorism incident or the outbreak of a new viral disease.

In recent years, there has been a shift away from using EM for diagnosis and towards research applications. This is largely due to the development of molecular techniques that offer greater sensitivity and ease of use. However, EM still offers several advantages over molecular methods, including its ability to detect multiple pathogens in a single sample and provide rapid results.

Electron microscopy has also been instrumental in the discovery of many new viruses, particularly those associated with gastroenteritis. In addition to its role in discovering new viruses, EM has been used to diagnose other viral infections such as hepatitis B and parvovirus B19.

One of the key advantages of EM is its ability to provide morphological information about viruses, which can be used to identify them. Different virus families have distinct morphologies, making it possible to identify viruses based on their appearance under the electron microscope.

The 1000-fold improvement in resolution provided by transmission electron microscopy has allowed us to visualize viruses that were previously undetectable, and has had a profound impact on our understanding of these tiny organisms. As a result, EM remains an essential tool for researchers and clinicians alike.

Magnification of transmission electron microscope