Electron Microscopy

Overview

Why use Electron Microscopy?

Electron microscopy can be used to image the structure of molecules, cells and tissues at sub-nanometre resolution. In transmission electron microscopy (TEM), samples are cut into ultrathin sections of approximately 80-100nm so that the electron beam can pass through the sample and form an image on the detector below. In scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the electron beam is scanned over the surface of the sample to produce topographical or compositional information from the surface layer only.

Expertise

The EMU team work closely with research groups to plan, optimise and implement experiments, producing images that allow the LRI scientists to understand their samples at a subcellular level. We are experts in preparing, imaging and interpreting a wide range of samples including DNA, proteins, viruses, yeast, cell cultures, tissues, Drosophila, C.elegans and zebrafish. We utilise a wide range of traditional and novel sample preparation techniques for optimum preservation of morphology and localisation of proteins.

Equipment

We have three transmission electron microscopes and one scanning electron microscope, as well as a comprehensive range of sample preparation equipment and image analysis workstations.

The Team

The EMU team has five post-doctoral researchers, whose backgrounds cover cell biology, neurobiology, plant biology, microbiology and bioinformatics, with over 100 years experience in electron microscopy techniques and technologies between us.