Cells interact with their extracellular environments by means of a variety of cellular adhesion molecules (CAM) and surface ligands. In many instances, CAMs interact in a sequential temporal fashion which suggests that these adhesion molecules may occupy or be polarized to various membrane microdomains on the cell surface. Detection of CAMs can be accomplished by a variety of methods including immunofluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry, and by the use of immunocytochemical markers (i.e. colloidal gold) in electron microscopy. The development of high resolution field emission SEM in the mid 1980's and the Autrata modification of the YAG detector for backscatter electron detection at low voltage has greatly facilitated the recognition of colloidal gold probes for detection of surface CAMs. Low voltage FESEM with Bse imaging provides increased resolution of cell surface topography (~3nm at 3-4 keV) which can be observed in 3-dimensions, and simultaneously permits detection/high spatial resolution of immunogold label by atomic number contrast.
