3D high resolution cell image

Tweet University of Colorado have now obtained the first 3D visualisation of a complete eukaryotic cell at a resolution high enough to resolve the cytoskeleton's precise architectural plan in fission yeast. The site has a 2MB downloadable picture. Yeast cells are 2-20 microns in size. The resolution is probably down to about 5-10 nanometers.


The electron tomogram of a complete yeast cell reveals the cellular architecture. It shows plasma membrane, microtubules and light vacuoles [green], nucleus, dark vacuoles and dark vesicles [gold], mitochondria and large dark vesicles [blue] and light vesicles [pink]. Picture by Johanna Höög, EMBL

It reveals remarkable insights into the fine structure of the cytoskeleton as well as its interactions with other parts of the cell.