Biological scanning electron microscopy Barbra L. Gabriel Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York, 1982 186 pages, $24.95 [Hardbound]

Biological scanning electron microscopy Barbra L. Gabriel Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York, 1982 186 pages, $24.95 [Hardbound]

BOOK REVIEW Biological Scanning Electron Microscopy Barbra L. Gabriel Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York, 1982 186 pages, $24.95 [Hardbound] The dev...

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BOOK REVIEW

Biological Scanning Electron Microscopy Barbra L. Gabriel Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York, 1982 186 pages, $24.95 [Hardbound] The development of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was preceded by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The application of SEM is different from TEM and is concerned mainly with surface studies, thereby adding a new dimension to ultrastructural studies. The various methodologies developed for TEM have been adapted, modified, and applied to SEM. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopists have advanced new methodologies over the years. The author has made a concerted effort to put together prior and new knowledge on SEM methodologies into the volume. The first of ten chapters describes electronic principles of SEM, including illumination, information, detection, display, and vacuum systems. Resolution interference and beam and specimen interactions are also described. Chapter two deals with EM photography. The third and fourth chapters deal with procedures on specimen preparation, fixation, and dehydration in which various chemical fixations, buffers, and organic dehydration methods are compared with their advantages and disadvantages pointed out. Chapters five through ten deal with additional techniques used in SEM. The theory of critical point drying and its practical application, covered in chapter five, is compared with freeze drying in chapter six. Specimen drying with volatile reagents is discussed in chapter seven. Chapter eight briefly discusses handling of macroscopic and microscopic cells and organisms. Biological specimens are usually nonconductive; however, evaporation or sputting thin films over the specimens with conductive materials facilitates observation of the surface contour of these specimens. Chapter nine deals with these procedures and compares evaporation and sputting. Finally, chapter ten explores the application of fresh-frozen, uncoated specimens and various metallic impregnation procedures. Up-to-date references are provided for each subject. The author has words of warning about potentially harmful substances used during specimen preparation. This is noteworthy, since those new to the field may not be aware that mishandling of these toxic chemicals may have lasting effects on the handler's health. A defect of this volume is the lack of photographs, especially those representative of the different methods used. More graphic descriptions of some of the application procedures would have been welcome. This relatively short volume contains essential and up-to-date information on SEM. Students of biomedical research and others new to this field will find this volume a very useful one. Lee S. Chai Department of Genetics and Endocrinology Roswell Park Memorial Institute Buffalo, New York 14263 215 Elsevier SciencePublishing Co., Inc., 1983 52 Vanderbilt Ave.,New York,NY 10017 ©

Cancer Genetics and Cytogenetics 0165-4608/83/$03.00