The Royal Society and the microscope

Ford, Brian

doi:10.1098/rsnr.2001.0124

Cited by 18 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…The histological investigation of fossil vertebrate tissues has, until recently, only been possible by destructive sectioning techniques that yield essentially two-dimensional (2D) data. Van Leeuwenhoek is credited with making the first sectioned preparations of extant animal and plant material using an optical microscope in 1673 (Leeuwenhoek, 1674; Ford, 2001). However, despite fossils being known and studied, it was not until 1831 that the first sections of wood from the Carboniferous of Scotland were made (Witham, 1831) using the techniques of the optician William Nicol.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…data. Van Leeuwenhoek is credited with making the first sectioned preparations of extant animal and plant material using an optical microscope in 1673~Leeuwenhoek, 1674; Ford, 2001!. However, despite fossils being known and studied, it was not until 1831 that the first sections of wood from the Carboniferous of Scotland were made~Witham, 1831!…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Three-Dimensional Synchrotron Virtual Paleohistology: A New Insight into the World of Fossil Bone Microstructures

Sanchez¹,

Ahlberg²,

Trinajstic³

et al. 2012

Microsc Microanal

155

188

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The recent developments of phase-contrast synchrotron imaging techniques have been of great interest for paleontologists, providing three-dimensional (3D) tomographic images of anatomical structures, thereby leading to new paleobiological insights and the discovery of new species. However, until now, it has not been used on features smaller than 5-7 μm voxel size in fossil bones. Because much information is contained within the 3D histological architecture of bone, including an ontogenetic record, crucial for understanding the paleobiology of fossil species, the application of phase-contrast synchrotron tomography to bone at higher resolutions is potentially of great interest. Here we use this technique to provide new 3D insights into the submicron-scale histology of fossil and recent bones, based on the development of new pink-beam configurations, data acquisition strategies, and improved processing tools. Not only do the scans reveal by nondestructive means all of the major features of the histology at a resolution comparable to that of optical microscopy, they provide 3D information that cannot be obtained by any other method.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Three-Dimensional Synchrotron Virtual Paleohistology: A New Insight into the World of Fossil Bone Microstructures

Sanchez¹,

Ahlberg²,

Trinajstic³

et al. 2012

Microsc Microanal

155

188

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Mendel, who taught physics, laid out the framework for inheritance ( Mendel, 1865 ), which, with the advent of modern molecular biology, gave us the complete genetic information of the cell. In some early optical engineering, van Leeuwenhoek developed a new method to make lenses, which allowed for better visualization of cells ( Ford, 2001 ). Today, on the basis of his work and the efforts of a large consortium of physicists, mathematicians, and engineers, we have three-dimensional electron microscopy tomography, superresolution imaging, and single-molecule detection and spectroscopy.…”

Section: Historical Perspective: a Few Pioneers In The Fieldmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bringing the physical sciences into your cell biology research

Robinson

Iglesias

2012

MBoC

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Historically, much of biology was studied by physicists and mathematicians. With the advent of modern molecular biology, a wave of researchers became trained in a new scientific discipline filled with the language of genes, mutants, and the central dogma. These new molecular approaches have provided volumes of information on biomolecules and molecular pathways from the cellular to the organismal level. The challenge now is to determine how this seemingly endless list of components works together to promote the healthy function of complex living systems. This effort requires an interdisciplinary approach by investigators from both the biological and the physical sciences.

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“…Viruses, being intrinsically interesting, readily purified and possessed of various kinds of symmetry, provided a key test subject for many of these developments, and in turn the electron microscope revealed many important aspects of virus structure. The part played by Fellows of The Royal Society in the broad historical development of microscopy has been reviewed previously (2). Many of those involved in the later developments in biological electron microscopy, to be described in more detail here, are or were Fellows.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Viruses and the Development of Quantitative Biological Electron Microscopy

Crowther

2004

IUBMB Life

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SummaryThe electron microscope has become an important tool for determining the structure of biological materials of all kinds. Many technical advances in specimen preparation and in sophisticated methods of image analysis, initially based on optical systems but latterly on computer processing, have contributed to the development of the subject. Viruses of various kinds have often provided a convenient and appropriate test specimen. This paper describes the major technical advances and shows how viruses have had an important role in most of the developments.

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The Royal Society and the microscope

Cited by 18 publications

References 9 publications

Three-Dimensional Synchrotron Virtual Paleohistology: A New Insight into the World of Fossil Bone Microstructures

Three-Dimensional Synchrotron Virtual Paleohistology: A New Insight into the World of Fossil Bone Microstructures

Bringing the physical sciences into your cell biology research

Viruses and the Development of Quantitative Biological Electron Microscopy

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