Immunogold staining is often used for observing biological samples (and exosomes) using TEM. In my knowledge, there are 2 papers (which were published in 90s) which showed that immunogold staining can also be used in SEM. I'm wondering why there is very little study regarding this field.
There are some papers utilizing immunolabeling for SEM, much more of them than two. But SEM in most cases is not well suited for the technique. It does not show cell morphology (with exclusion of cryofracture, rather expensive and exotic method). In addition better resolution of TEM and its method of contrast forming provides much better visualization of gold particles. Still for some special cases immunogold staining works good for SEM, but of course not for exosomes, which are invisible for SEM.
There are some papers utilizing immunolabeling for SEM, much more of them than two. But SEM in most cases is not well suited for the technique. It does not show cell morphology (with exclusion of cryofracture, rather expensive and exotic method). In addition better resolution of TEM and its method of contrast forming provides much better visualization of gold particles. Still for some special cases immunogold staining works good for SEM, but of course not for exosomes, which are invisible for SEM.
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