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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Robin Harris
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In this personal, historic account of macromolecular transmission electron microscopy (TEM), published data from the 1940s through to recent times is surveyed, within the context of the remarkable progress that has been achieved during this time period. The evolution of present day molecular structural biology is described in relation to the associated biological disciplines. The contribution of numerous electron microscope pioneers to the development of the subject is discussed. The principal techniques for TEM specimen preparation, thin sectioning, metal shadowing, negative staining and plunge-freezing (vitrification) of thin aqueous samples are described, with a selection of published images to emphasise the virtues of each method. The development of digital image analysis and 3D reconstruction is described in detail as applied to electron crystallography and reconstructions from helical structures, 2D membrane crystals as well as single particle 3D reconstruction of icosahedral viruses and macromolecules. The on-going development of new software, algorithms and approaches is highlighted before specific examples of the historical progress of the structural biology of proteins and viruses are presented. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Author(s): Harris JR
Publication type: Review
Publication status: Published
Journal: Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Year: 2015
Volume: 581
Pages: 3-18
Print publication date: 01/09/2015
Online publication date: 02/12/2014
Acceptance date: 01/01/1900
ISSN (print): 0003-9861
ISSN (electronic): 1096-0384
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.abb.2014.11.011
DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2014.11.011