Open AccessApplication of confocal laser scanning microscopy to the study of amber bioinclusions
Author(s) -
Yanzhe Fu,
YanDa Li,
Yitong Su,
Chenyang Cai,
Diying Huang
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
palaeoentomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2624-2826
pISSN - 2624-2834
DOI - 10.11646/palaeoentomology.4.3.14
Subject(s) - optical sectioning , microscopy , confocal , confocal laser scanning microscopy , confocal microscopy , scanning confocal electron microscopy , laser microscopy , microscope , materials science , optics , laser scanning , resolution (logic) , optical microscope , depth of field , laser , biological specimen , computer science , biomedical engineering , scanning electron microscope , artificial intelligence , physics , engineering
Confocal laser scanning microscopy is an essential analytical tool in biological, biomedical, and material sciences, integrating microscope manufacturing technology, optical-electronic technology, and computer technology. In the last decade, confocal laser scanning microscopy has been successfully applied to the study of amber bioinclusions. Enhanced signal to noise ratios, resolution power, capability of optical sectioning, three-dimensional reconstruction, and better performance when imaging thicker samples provide a great deal of valuable and detailed morphological information about amber fossils. We briefly discuss the practical applications of CLSM in amber studies and compare it with other imaging methods commonly used in the field, including bright-field microscopy, wide-field fluorescence microscopy, and micro-computed tomography. A general procedure for imaging amber inclusions with CLSM is provided, with a focus on pretreatments and image processing.