Book excerpt: A concise and authoritative introduction to scanning electron microscopy in the biological sciences In A Practical Guide to Scanning Electron Microscopy distinguished electron microscopist Gerhard Wanner delivers a practical handbook for biological scientists working with microbial, plant, and animal cells and tissues, enabling them to successfully apply scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to their object of study. The book begins with an introduction to the principles of electron microscopy and the operation of electron microscopes before moving on to describe the preparation and mounting of specimens. It also explores the process of recoding images and their subsequent analysis, along with a wide range of advanced microscopy techniques, including cryo-SEM, FIB-SEM tomography, and stereo-SEM. Scanning Electron Microscopy in the Biosciences contains hundreds of carefully selected microscopic images, as well as hands-on, step-by-step guidance required to perform a successful TEM experiment. Readers will also find: Thorough introductions to optics, electron microscopy, electrons, and the components of electron microscopes In-depth examinations of the preparation of biological specimens and specimen mounting for scanning electron microscopy A comparison of different SEM modes and their strengths and weaknesses An introduction to novel techniques such as correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM), array tomography, and cryo-scanning electron microscopy Perfect for cell biologists and microbiologists, A Practical Guide to Scanning Electron Microscopy in the Biosciences also belongs in the libraries of neurobiologists and biophysicists.