Cutting a fine figure : On the use of thin sections in electron microscopy to quantify autophagy

Abstract

Over the last few years, two guideline articles have been published with recommendations for assessing autophagy. These articles contained advice on quantification of autophagy by electron microscopy and proposed using thin slices for quantifying autophagic structures. Here, we expand on what can and cannot be quantified using single 2D slices and give some suggestions for efficient and minimally biased approaches for quantifying this fascinating and important process. We recommend that the journal Autophagy follow other journals in demanding stringent random sampling design and application of unbiased design-based quantification when reviewing submitted manuscripts.