Electron Microscopy

The Electronic Transmission Microscopy (TEM) allows to obtain, from a sufficiently thin sample (<100nm) characterized by an appropriate electronic contrast, high resolution images produced by high energy electrons (up to 100 KeV) transmitted on a fluorescent screen.

The TEM service provides for the use of:

• a Philips EM 208S (FEI) transmission electron microscope with tungsten source and magnification up to 200K, equipped with MegaViewII (Olympus Soft Imaging Solutions) camera for image acquisition;
• a LEICA UC6 ultramicrotome for sectioning samples included in epoxy and acrylic resin.

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) allows to obtain three-dimensional high-resolution images from a suitable sample. The principle on which this type of microscope is based is to send a beam of primary electrons on a sample made conductive and to collect the image of the investigated surface. The image obtained is provided with a depth of field such as to allow the detailed observation of the morphological characteristics of the analyzed sample.

The SEM service is equipped with the following instrumentation:

• a high-resolution scanning electron microscope INSPECT F (FEI) with field emission source and magnification power up to 200K, for ultrastructural analysis of biological systems such as bacteria, parasites, cell systems, tissues;
• the tools needed to prepare the samples: Critical Point Drying, Sputtering, Carbon Evaporator.

The Electron Microscopy unit offers the following services:

• technical advice for the evaluation of the most suitable electron microscopy method to be used according to the proposed subject;
• sample preparation and observation: the electron microscopy unit manages all the sample preparation steps based on the most suitable choice of the observation method;
• interpretation of the results: the digital images obtained will be interpreted, in collaboration with the interested researchers, in order to obtain as much information as possible;
• image processing in tables.

• Electron microscopy in negative contrast of freshly observable samples, such as some types of biological macromolecules, exosomes and purified cell organelles, viruses, bacteria. ⇒galleria...
• Traditional transmission electron microscopy for the ultrastructural analysis of biological samples included in epoxy resin. ⇒galleria...
• Scanning electron microscopy for ultrastructural analysis of the surface morphology of biological samples appropriately rendered conductive. ⇒galleria...
• Immunomicroscopy on fresh preparations visualized at the TEM with negative/positive contrast, for the localization of surface antigens through the use of secondary antibodies labeled with colloidal gold particles. ⇒galleria...
• Electron microscopy in pre- and post-embedding on ultra-thin sections, for the localization of both intracellular and superficial molecules, through the use of secondary antibodies labeled with colloidal gold particles and visualized at TEM. ⇒galleria...
• Immunomicroscopy on whole cells appropriately treated for the localization and distribution of surface antigens through the use of secondary antibodies labeled with colloidal gold particles and detected at SEM by means of backscattered electron signals (Z contrast). ⇒galleria...

Service requests to this unit, previously agreed upon by contacting the personnel, can be sent by filling out the online form 'Service Request'.  

Contacts:
Lucia Bertuccini
Francesca Iosi
☎ +39 06 4990 2092
Where we are: building 1, floor C, room 67

To be revised
(remove this paragraph once finished)