Fig 1.
Schematic representation of the techniques used to obtain the 3D models and prototypes.
(A) Vectorization from a single projected image obtained by conventional transmission electron microscopy. (B) Generation of a 3D model by serial-section transmission electron microscopy. (C) Generation of 3D model by serial electron tomography. All 3D models were converted to the appropriate language (readable by 3D printing software) and used to generate a prototype.
Fig 2.
3D representation of the neutrophil used on 3D printing.
(A) Transmission electron microscopy of a thin section of a neutrophil. (B) Segmentation of different internal structures, (C) model showing the main structures segmented form the previous images and (D) virtual model resulted from image vectorization (artificial increase in the z scale). Primary granules (orange), secondary granules (white), nucleus (green), rough endoplasmic reticulum (blue), endoplasmic reticulum (red), mitochondria (purple). (E) Printed prototype of the neutrophil 34,000 times larger than the virtual model.
Fig 3.
3D reconstruction of the whole volume of a neutrophil by serial section.
(A-F) Obtainment of serial images from 70 nm-thick serial sections of a neutrophil. (G-K) 3D model showing the cell nucleus (blue) with heterochromatin (dark blue) and euchromatin (light blue), plasma membrane (light pink) and primary (red) and secondary granules (purple).
Fig 4.
3D representation of the monocyte used on 3D printing.
(A-F) Virtual sections from a serial tomogram of a monocyte obtained from serial electron tomography. Bar 2 μm. (G-I) 3D representation of the model, showing the cell nucleus (blue), plasma membrane (light pink), mitochondria (green), lysosomes (purple) and phagosomes (Orange).
Fig 5.
3D prototypes obtained form a virtual model of a monocyte.
(A) Virtual model of a monocyte generated by serial electron tomography. (B) The resulting in a prototype 15.000 times larger than the virtual model. (C) Printed prototype being manipulated by a student and (D) on a table.