High-throughput ultrastructure screening using electron microscopy and fluorescent barcoding

Yury S. Bykov, Nir Cohen, Natalia Gabrielli, Hetty Manenschijn, Sonja Welsch, Petr Chlanda, Wanda Kukulski, Kiran R. Patil, Maya Schuldiner, John A. G. Briggs

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Genetic screens using high-throughput fluorescent microscopes have generated large datasets, contributing many cell biological insights. Such approaches cannot tackle questions requiring knowledge of ultrastructure below the resolution limit of fluorescent microscopy. Electron microscopy (EM) reveals detailed cellular ultrastructure but requires time-consuming sample preparation, limiting throughput. Here we describe a robust method for screening by high-throughput EM. Our approach uses combinations of fluorophores as barcodes to uniquely mark each cell type in mixed populations and correlative light and EM (CLEM) to read the barcode of each cell before it is imaged by EM. Coupled with an easy-to-use software workflow for correlation, segmentation, and computer image analysis, our method, called "MultiCLEM," allows us to extract and analyze multiple cell populations from each EM sample preparation. We demonstrate several uses for MultiCLEM with 15 different yeast variants. The methodology is not restricted to yeast, can be scaled to higher throughput, and can be used in multiple ways to enable EM to become a powerful screening technique.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2797-2811
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of Cell Biology
Volume218
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 5 Aug 2019

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'High-throughput ultrastructure screening using electron microscopy and fluorescent barcoding'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this