The Electron Microscopy Core Laboratory is sponsored by the Health Sciences Center and the School of Biological Sciences.
Our techniques can help you understand structure and function. Examples of questions we can help you answer (illustrated by six of the eight pictures above):
- What is the cellular structure of my sample? Does genotype, disease, or different environmental conditions affect the structure? (see picture of diseased kidney in upper right)
- What is the morphology of a biological macromolecule? Does genetic mutation or different environmental conditions affect the morphology? (see picture of phage particles, top row, second from left)
- What is the morphology of a macromolecule or macromolecular complex within a cell? Does genetic mutation, disease, or different environmental conditions affect the morphology? (see picture of dynein in human respiratory tract cilia, upper left, and annulate lamellae, second from right in top row)
- What is the three-dimensional structure of a biological macromolecule? How does genetic mutation, interactions with other molecules, or different environmental conditions affect its morphology? What residues (e.g. amino acids or nucleotides) interact in a macromolecular complex? (see picture of virus-antibody complex in bottom left)
- What is the size and morphology of a nanoparticle or synthesized nanomachine? How do different synthesis methods or environmental conditions affect the morphology? (see picture of nanoparticles, bottom right)
To answer these questions, both transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging and sample preparation are available. For example, we a) process tissue from fixative through plastic embedding and thin-sectioning, b) perform immuno-labeling experiments, c) view particulate samples, d) prepare frozen-hydrated specimens, and e) compute three-dimensional reconstructions.
To make a reservation for use of our equipment or services, please go to the Batch Viewer login page.