FIGURE 5.

Schematic illustration of the preparation of resin embedded cell monolayer. The top surface is formed by detaching the sapphire disk from the resin block; thus, it is smooth, and the cells are localized precisely on the surface. (A) For the visualization of full cell cross-sections, a layer of resin about half the thickness of the cell should be trimmed off with an ultra-microtome using a diamond knife, and the surface coated with ∼10 nm of carbon. The cross-sections can then be visualized with SEM in backscattering electron mode. (B) To collect focused ion beam scanning electron microscope (FIB-SEM) volume data the ion beam serially removes thin layers from the block face surface.