Electron Microscopy Services
Negative staining (for TEM)
Provides simple way of imaging of protein molecules, macromolecular complexes, viral particles and isolated organels.
Nucleic acid preparation (for TEM)
DNA or RNA molecules are spread on the suface of aqueous buffer either free or in a monolayer of denatured protein. Upon attachment to carbon-coated film, the molecules are contrasted by rotary shadowing with heavy metal.
Epoxy embedding (for TEM)
Standard way of looking at the ultrastructure of cultured cells or tissues. Also can be used in conjunction with pre-embedding immunolabeling.
Sample preparation and imaging in SEM
SEM is used to study the surface of the samples of interest. The object has to be first chemically fixed, dehydrated by critical point drying and further made electrically conductive by sputtering with platinum.
Cryosectioning and immuncytochemistry on frozen sections
Samples of cell pelets or tissues are lightly chemically fixed and cryoprotected with sucrose. Upon freezing in liquid nitrogen, thin sections are cut at low temperature (-120°C) and labeled by indirect immunocytochemistry using gold particles as the electrondense marker (Tokuyasu method).
Training, consultation, presentation of results
The Facility mostly provides experiment planning, all or most of the sample preparation and imaging. Help is also available with image processing and preparation for presentation.