Final answer:
To prove the discovery of a new organelle is real and not an artifact from electron microscopy techniques, one should replicate the imaging, use alternative sample preparations, perform molecular and biochemical tests, and corroborate findings through independent verification.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you suspect you've discovered a new organelle using electron microscopy, and want to ascertain whether it is real and not an artifact, there are several steps you can take.
First, you should replicate the imaging with the same technique to see if the organelle appears consistently across multiple samples. Second, utilize different sample preparation methods to exclude the possibility that the organelle is a result of specimen processing. Third, you can perform molecular analyses and biochemical tests on the cell fractions to identify and confirm the organelle's presence and function. If working with eukaryotic cells, a purity check of cellular fractions (isolated nuclei, rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi vesicles, for instance) can help in this confirmation.
You may also employ other types of microscopy, like phase-contrast microscopy, although this technique is better suited for live cells which electron microscopy can't observe. Lastly, seek corroboration from other research groups to validate the discovery through independent observations.