Correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) is the combination of fluorescence microscopy (FM) and high-resolution electron microscopy (EM). Diabetes Type 1, one of the two widely spread forms, is an autoimmune decease, which is caused by the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. A better understanding of this form of Diabetes could be obtained from a rigorous study of the islets of Langerhans. This can be done by imaging them with an electron microscope (EM) and fluorescence microscope combined in one. This technique called correlative microscopy is commonly applied in life sciences. The SECOM platform is an integrated CLEM that is produced and designed by Delmic. Delmic offers a unique solution for simultaneous correlative light and electron microscopy. In this presentation, you can learn how integrated CLEM can be performed to study and better understand type 1 diabetes. For questions about correlative microscopy and the SECOM, please leave a comment below or visit www.delmic.com and send us a message. We will respond to your questions as soon as possible!

1. Integration without compromise 1
Correlative Microscopy for understanding
Diabetes Type 1

2. Type 1 Diabetes
• Type 1 diabetes occur when the insulin-producing beta cells are attacked
and destroyed. This could potentially lead to cell death from lack of
glucose and multiple organ failure due to sustained high blood sugar
levels.
• It is estimated that 9% of the population is affected by this life-threatening
decease [1].
[1] G. Danaei et al., The Lancet 378, 9785, 31-40 (2011)
Source: Google Sites

3. Electron Microscopy
Advantages
• High spatial resolution
• Allows the identification of subcellular features
Limitations
• Slow and highly labor-intensive
• Hard to identify specific cells/features in a grey-scale
image
Using electron microscopy in diabetes type 1 research

4. Fluorescence Microscopy
Using fluorescence microscopy in diabetes type 1 research
Advantages
• Allows multicolor imaging
• Identification of cells possible over a large field of view
Limitations
• Resolution is diffraction limited (~200nm)
• Unable to provide structural information of the samples

5. Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy for
Diabetes Type 1
• Integrated correlative light and electron microscopy (iCLEM) is the combination
of fluorescence microscopy (FM) with high-resolution electron microscopy (EM) in one
• iCLEM offers a powerful imaging technique where by the cells of interest can be identified
magnification EM image can be acquired at the desired location to reveal structural details
• This can be used to image the Islets of Langerhans for type 1 diabetes research [2].

6. Key Advantages of integrated CLEM
• Imaging of structure and function – “non-destructive”
• Multi colour labelling – imaging of different functionalities
• Relating morphology and performance/chemical activity – in situ
• Imaging of unknown structure – overcomes limitation of
fluorescence imaging
• Long range labelling – enables study of sample heterogeneity
• Unbiased identification of cells/features – overcomes limitation of
only fluorescence/only electron imaging

7. Integrated CLEM – The SECOM
Electron source
& lenses
Sample
Light microscope
objective
Mirror
Vacuum
Dichroic & emission
filters
Camera
Light source
Secondary electron
detector
SECOM - Integrated SEM and Fluorescence Microscope for simultaneous correlative
imaging

8. iCLEM of rat pancreas
Sample preparation
• 80 nm thick sections of healthy rat pancreas were prepared for correlative
• Fresh pancreas were fixed in 4% para - formaldehyde and 0.1%
selected for the presence of islets of Langerhans.
• Post-fixation was carried out with 1% osmium tetroxide, followed by
EPON.
• Ultrathin sections were then cut and mounted on ITO-coated glass slides.
labelling was performed with three different fluorophores.
• The sample was imaged on the SECOM platform using an automated
Results
As seen in the image, the labelling of the insulin (beta cells) in orange with
visible and the ultrastructure can be examined in detail from the EM contrast.
guanine quadruplexes and the nucleus. These results demonstrate the
diabetes type 1 [2].
Sample courtesy: B.N.G. Giepmans & P. de Boer, UMC
G

9. References
[1] G. Danaei et al., The Lancet 378, 9785, 31-40 (2011)
[2] J. Kuipers et al., Experimental Cell Research 337, 202–207 (2015)

10. Integration without compromise
DELMIC B.V.
Address: Kanaalweg 4, 2628 EB, Delft,
The Netherlands
Website: www.delmic.com
Telephone: +31 (0)15 744 01 58
Email: info@delmic.com
Please visit Delmic’s website to learn more about the
unique solution for correlative light and electron
microscopy.