To be or not to be? Examples of incorrect identification of autophagic compartments in conventional transmission electron microscopy of mammalian cells

Abstract

Transmission electron microscopy is one of the most sensitive methods to detect autophagic compartments in mammalian cells. The number of scientists that are experts in this technique has declined during recent years, probably because the method was developed over forty years ago and is not in fashion today. This has lead to a situation where, too many times, authors and reviewers alike are not able to interpret electron microscopy pictures correctly. In this commentary I present some common mistakes in identification of autophagic compartments in conventional transmission electron microscopy of mammalian cells.