3D ultrastructural investigation of mitochondrial networks of pancreatic islets of Langerhans by serial block face scanning electron microscopy

Authors

• GN Calco
• BC Kuo
• JD Hoyne
• MA Aronova
• G Zhang
• T Cai
• H Xu
• AL Notkins
• RD Leapman

Abstract

Serial block-face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) provides three-dimensional ultrastructure of biological tissues at the nanometer scale. Previous studies have applied this technique to visualize the architecture of pancreatic islets of Langerhans in wild-type mice. We are now using SBF-SEM to image the complexities of islet mitochondrial networks in wild-type mice for the first time. Mitochondrial fusion and fission are vital to the function of cells and have been linked to diseases such as diabetes. We are analyzing mitochondrial volume distributions and connectivity of mitochondrial networks within the cell. This approach is being used to determine how mitochondria networks differ between wild type and non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. Such quantitative analysis of ultrastructural differences between controls and diabetes-related animal models could help further our understanding of islet pathophysiology.

Scientific Focus Area: Biomedical Engineering and Biophysics

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