A major aim in structural cell biology is to analyze intact cells in three dimensions, visualize subcellular structures, and even localize proteins at the best possible resolution in three dimensions. Though recently developed electron microscopy tools such as electron tomography, or three-dimensional (3D) scanning electron microscopy, offer great resolution in three dimensions, the challenge is that, the better the resolution...

Preservation of ultrastructural features in biological samples for electron microscopy (EM) is a challenging task that is routinely accomplished through chemical fixation or high-pressure freezing coupled to automated freeze substitution (AFS) using specialized devices. However, samples from clinical (e.g. “biobanking” of bulk biopsies) and preclinical (e.g. whole mouse tissues) specimens are often not specifically prepared fo...

During histiotrophic nutrition of the embryo, maternal platelets may be the first circulating maternal cells that find their way into the placental intervillous space through narrow intertrophoblastic gaps within the plugs of spiral arteries. Activation of platelets at the maternal-fetal interface can influence trophoblast behavior and has been implicated in serious pregnancy pathologies. Here, we show that platelet-derived fa...