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School of Medicine Columbia

Electron Microscopy

Electron microscopy surpasses the limitations of traditional light microscopy by using electron beams instead of visible light to achieve unparalleled resolution in imaging. This technique allows researchers to explore the ultrastructure of cells and materials at the nanoscale, unveiling intricate details that are essential for understanding cellular morphology, subcellular organelles, and the fine structures of diverse materials.

Available Equipment

Developed for a wide range of disciplines, the JEOL 1400 Plus TEM is widely accepted for its ease of use and high-resolution imaging. Users can easily find and view their samples at low magnification before studying the fine structures at high magnification. The IRF’s system is equipped with:

  • Tungsten filament
  • Resolution of 0.2nm
  • Serial EM program for Tomography (+/- 60o tilt) and Stitching
  • Accelerating voltages adjustable to 120kV
  • Advanced Microscopy Techniques side mounted 8K bottom mount digital camera

Applications

  • High resolution ultrastructural imaging
  • Immunocytochemistry with colloidal gold and other electron dense probes
  • Tomography
  • Diffraction

Location

IRF B59

IRF Contact

Ryan Ball

The JSM IT100 is a compact, versatile SEM designed as an easy-to-use, all-in-one microscope for a wide range of fields such as biotechnology and nanotechnology, materials development, testing, evaluation, defect analysis for quality control, and much more. The IRF’s system is equipped with:

  • Tungsten filament
  • High resolution secondary and TV rate backscatter detectors
  • Resolution in secondary mode of 3.5nm
  • Resolution in backscattered mode of 10nm
  • Sample size of up to 5 inches in diameter can be fully imaged
  • Motorized X-Y stage that can be driven to stored positions
  • Preset Z working distances from 8, 15, 25, 39, and 48mm
  • Eucentric stage with tilt capability of -5 to + 90 at a working distance of 48mm
    360 rotation
  • Accelerating voltages from 0.5-30kV
  • Magnifications from 5X-300,000X
  • Visions Software Package
  • Polaroid film and digital image storage

Applications

  • Imaging surface morphology of biological and materials samples
  • Imaging cell: cell and cell: ECM interactions
  • Colloidal gold immunocytochemistry of surface molecules

Location

IRF B59

IRF Contact

Ryan Ball

A new generation ultramicrotome from Leica Microsystems that saves you valuable time and resources through its automated setup functions and state-of-the-art sectioning quality. With its advanced automated functionality, UC Enuity enables all lab users to efficiently perform ultramicrotomy tasks, eliminating the need for complex manual setup steps. Reduce the need for user training thanks to autoalignment - an auto approach mode which brings block face and knife together, automatically. 

Advanced Features

  • Intuitive user interface and automated functions ensure consistent, high-quality results over time.
  • Critical steps in sample preparation can now be automated, including high-quality, ultra-thin sectioning.

Location

IRF B51

IRF Contact

Ryan Ball

The Leica Ultracut R Ultramicrotome provides an easy-to-use way to cut both thick and thin sections from resin embedded samples.

Location

IRF B51

IRF Contact

Ryan Ball

The Cressington 108 sputter coater is compact, simple to operate, and ideal for routine sample preparation. fully variable current control, digital process timer with "pause", variable height specimen table, hinged top-plate and o-ring sealed vacuum chamber. The current controller allows independent choice of sputter current and argon pressure. Coverage and grain size are optimized for any specimen.

Location

IRF B50

IRF Contact

Ryan Ball

The Tousimis Samdri-PVT-3B Critical Point Dryer delivers highly reproducible results with manual controls, ease of operation through conveniently located valves and control panels, and automatic critical point temperature and pressure regulation. This system is perfect to critically dry samples for scanning electron microscopy.

Location

IRF B50

IRF Contact

Ryan Ball

 


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