Sample Preparation for Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy (CLEM) Analyses in Cellular Microbiology

[Abstract] Dynamic processes in cells are usually monitored by live cell fluorescence microscopy. Unfortunately, this method lacks the ultrastructural information about the structure of interest (SOI). Currently, electron microscopy (EM) is the best tool to achieve highest spatial resolution. In addition, correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) analysis of the same structure allows combining authentic live cell imaging with the resolution power of EM. Additionally the reference space of the SOI is revealed. Our CLEM analyses of HeLa cells allow tracing the morphology and dynamic behavior of intracellular micro-compartments in living cells and their ultrastructure and subcellular organization in a highly resolved manner.