Basic Principles of Biological Electron Microscopy

Abstract

Biological electron microscopy reveals the molecular machinery of life well beyond the resolution of light microscopy. Foundations of Biological Electron Microscopy is an interactive textbook designed to guide undergraduate and graduate students through how electron microscopy (EM) is used to study biological structures across scales—from individual proteins to entire cells and tissues. Covering all major EM modalities—transmission, scanning, volume, and correlative techniques—this textbook builds a unified framework that connects physical principles of electron microscopy with modern biological applications that illuminate life’s foundational processes at the nanoscale.