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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 July 2020
The Biological Microscopy and Image Reconstruction Resource (BMIRR) is operated by the Wadsworth Center as a national biotechnology resource, with funding through the NIH Center for Research Resources and from NSF. This biological imaging resource has evolved continuously over the past two decades. Early development focussed on correlative, same-cell light and electron microscopic techniques, combining the capabilities of video-enhanced light microscopy and high-voltage electron microscopy. A current area of development is electron microscopic tomography, whereby the full 3D capabilities of higher voltage (400-1200 KV) electron microscopy is brought to bear on biological problems. In particular, the recent development of techniques for merging projection data from two mutually perpendicular tilt series has permitted significantly improved resolution, reducing the missing wedge of information to a missing pyramid. Attention is now turning to optimization of conditions for applying tomography to frozen-hydrated specimens, using automated data collection on our cryo-IVEM. Combined with parallel advances in same-cell manipulation and viewing, the BMIRR provides biologists with a unique combination of imaging and computational tools for research into the 3D structure and dynamics that underly cellular processes (see figures and refs. 2-4).