<title>Laser-scanning confocal microscopy and three-dimensional volume rendering of biological structures</title>

Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) is a significant improvement over conventional epifluorescence microscopy for observing biological structures. In addition to the increase in resolution and reduction of stray light by CLSM, the serial optical sections of fluorescently-labelled structures produced by CLSM are suitable for computer rendering techniques to produce three dimensional (3D) images of biological structure in the light microscope. The collection and properties of data sets obtained by CLSM and their subsequent computer rendering are described and the biological application of the technology is discussed and illustrated by reconstructions of fluorescently-labelled nuclei and mitotic spindles.