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School of the Biological Sciences

 

The Electron Microscopy Team offer a wide range of specimen preparation techniques for both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) samples as a full service, as well as facilitating access for experienced users to our Tecnai G2 TEM and Verios 460 SEM. We are also happy to discuss any aspect of experimental design, sample preparation and to assist in interpretation of results where our expertise allows.

 

 

Research Technical Professionals in our Platforms and Facilities provide essential scientific support, and we follow the Royal Microscopy Society guidelines for fair attribution, ensuring their contributions are routinely acknowledged in publications, with authorship considered for substantial intellectual input. See our Fair Attribution Policy on the Platform overview page for more information.

 

Contact

For any electron microscopy enquiries, please contact us: electron-microscopy@bio.cam.ac.uk

Book a microscope and request training on our booking system PPMS >>>

Electron Microscopy Team

Dr Karin Müller

Lead Electron Microscopist

khm20 [at] cam [dot] ac [dot] uk

Dr Filomena Gallo

Electron Microscopy Technical Specialist

fg337 [at] cam [dot] ac [dot] uk

Dr Elena Shishkova

Senior Electron Microscopy Technician

es2171 [at] cam [dot] ac [dot] uk

Training and Booking

We use Stratocore Pasteur Platform Management System (PPMS) to manage equipment bookings and training.

As a new electron microscopy user, we ask that you:

  1. create a PPMS account with your CRSid (if you have one).
  2. create a project. You are required to enter the grant code in the “account number” box. Account number format: XXXX/### e.g. ABCD/123.
  3. Email electron-microscopy@bio.cam.ac.uk to discuss your project and arrange the necessary training and services you require

The Electron Microscopy platform team will then discuss sample and imaging requirements with you. We are very happy to discuss and provide advice on experimental design.

After training, please book to use electron microscopes through our PPMS booking system.

Equipment and Imaging Modalities

Specimen Preparation

The electron microscopy team supports a number of specimen preparation methods for both Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy and houses a diverse range of equipment.

Techniques supported include:

  • Resin Embedding 

  • Plasma Cleaning

  • Glow Discharging 

  • Sputter and carbon coating 

  • Ultramicrotomy, Array Tomography, and Cryo-sectioning  

  • Plunge-freezing/ and freeze-drying 

  • Critical Point Drying 

See more details on the Specimen Preparation section.

Please contact us to discuss the details of your requirements.

Other services available in the School of Biological Sciences

Electron microscopy | Cambridge Stem Cell Institute

The Cambridge Stem Cell Institute maintains both Transmission Electron Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and is open to University of Cambridge and external users.

 

Microscopy | Sainsbury Laboratory

The Sainsbury Laboratory maintains a cryo-scanning electron microscopy capability in central Cambridge that supports a variety of plant science research and is open to University of Cambridge and external users.