Electron Microscopy Network Graz - ELMINet Graz

BioTechMed-Graz

Graz | Website

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Short Description

The ELMINet (Electron Microscopy Network) Graz is a joint initiative of the three universities to bundle their expertises in the field of correlative electron microscopy. In the course of a coordinated investment program, central structures for effective organization and efficient use will be implemented. The Graz-wide network enables access to new instruments thereby opening options for interdisciplinary research cooperation.
The newly acquired electron microscopes combine different high-resolution technologies that are available via core facility services or via scientific collaboration. Combining both, ultrastructural and functional research techniques – f.e. light and electron microscopy, enables novel ways to characterize the functional relationship of subcellular structures, tissues and biomaterials.
Another goal of ELMINet Graz is a tailored teaching program in the field of electron microscopy.

Contact Person

MMag. Christina Prix

Research Services

ATUMTome /Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
Thousands of ultrathin sections can be automatically collected on a Kapton tape for SEM imaging and 3 D – reconstruction. The system allows correlative microscopy for localization and ultrastructural imaging.

The system RISE (Raman Imaging and Scanning Electron Microscopy) combines the advantages of a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) with the benefits of a confocal Raman microscope (CRM). While the SEM delivers images with nanometer resolution, CRM enables chemical analysis in the same region of interest (confocal microscopy). Furthermore, the SEM is equipped with a detector for energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, which can be used for large area mappings (LAM). This combination enables a comprehensive analysis of specimens in materials science, life sciences, nanotechnology, forensics, geosciences, pharmaceutical research and many other fields of science and applications.

The HRSM financed refurbished Zeiss Libra 120 Plus transmission electron microscope (TEM) could be further upgraded with a cryo-transfer system with financial resources of NAWI Graz 2018/19. With this equipment both conventional TEM investigations and cryo-TEM is possible on this location. The cryo-TEM option enables state-of-the-art investigations of frozen hydrated biological samples (single particle analysis).
The TEM is an essential instrument for the investigation of different stress physiological/cell biological topics at the Institute of Biology (University of Graz). In addition, the TEM is used in collaboration projects with other institutes/universities being an essential part of national and international research projects. Furthermore, the TEM is integrated in the education of students with TEM courses or associated with master and doctoral theses.

Methods & Expertise for Research Infrastructure

Sigma 500: https://forschungsinfrastruktur.bmbwf.gv.at/de/fi/sigma-500_3442
ATUMTome: https://forschungsinfrastruktur.bmbwf.gv.at/de/fi/atumtome_3443
TEM Libra 120 Plus: https://forschungsinfrastruktur.bmbwf.gv.at/de/fi/transmissionselektronenmikroskop-libra-120-plus_3757
SIGAM 300VP: https://forschungsinfrastruktur.bmbwf.gv.at/de/fi/mikroskop-basic-unit-sigma-300vp_4100