The Melbourne Advanced Microscopy Facility offers electron microscopy for researchers who need high resolution images of biological samples like tissues and cells, and also of non-biological materials like metals and crystals.
At the facility, we offer electron microscopy for researchers working in biological and material sciences. We are based at the Bio21 Institute, in a physical containment level 2 (PC2) laboratory.
Electron microscopes have much a much higher magnifying power than normal light microscopes. They are used for a wide range of applications, including examining biological samples, analysing medical biopsies and analysing metal and crystal structures.
For example, we have revealed the structure of the target proteins for drugs to treat malaria so they can be designed to bind more effectively and work more efficiently We have also used the environmental scanning electron microscope to see moss flower within the electron microscope, which has not been seen previously. We have even used the SEM to characterise the detergent from a local laundromat.
We work collaboratively with other researchers, as well as offering fee-for-service work. We provide training and advice. We also offer access to a wide range of equipment for preparing samples.
Our services include:
- Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) for structural and cell biology
- Three-dimensional electron microscopy (tomography, block face imaging and array tomography)
- Standard and high-resolution 2D imaging
- Elemental analysis
- Nanofabrication
- Standard and cryo scanning electron microscopy.
Resources
- Aquilos cryo-Focus Ion Beam (cryo- FIB) (from November 2020)
- Quanta cryo environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM)
- Nova Nanolab FIB
- Titan Krios 300kV cryo-Transmission Electron Microscopy (cryo-TEM) (from January 2021)
- Talos Arctica 200kV cryo-TEM
- Talos L120C cryo-TEM
- Tecnai F30 cryo-TEM
- Tecnai F20 high resolution TEM
- Teneo VolumeScope, large volume SEM
User information
We are an open access facility for local, national or international researchers. Users can access our platform three ways: fee-for-service, collaboration or user-operated.
Other platforms
The facility can be in used conjunction with a number of other platforms, including:
- Melbourne Trace Analysis for Chemical, Earth and Environmental Sciences Platform
- Biological Optical Microscopy Platform
- Materials Characterisation and Fabrication Platform
- Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility.
Contact us
- Eric Hanssen
- ehanssen@unimelb.edu.au
- Phone
- +61 3 8344 2449
Book online
More information on this platform can be found on the Research Gateway, which is available to all University of Melbourne academic and honorary staff, graduate researchers and professional staff. Please note, to access the Research Gateway, you will need to login with your University of Melbourne username and password.
Banner image: A person placing an object in a machine. Image by Peter Casamento