Laboratory of Electron and Confocal Microscopy

Keywords: ultrastructure, electron microscopy (TEM, SEM), confocal microscopy.

The Laboratory of Electron and Confocal Microscopy is a research, teaching and service centre equipped with highly complex scientific equipment of electron and confocal optical microscopy that represent an interdisciplinary investigative tool in the field of morphological and structural observations in the biological, geological, medical, chemical and materials science fields. The laboratory staff provides his technical-scientific skills to the users of the Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BiGeA) of the University of Bologna (Unibo), of other Unibo Departments, of other Universities and public research institutions, private companies and institutions also related to the public health.

Equipments available in the laboratory

In addition to the basic equipment, the Laboratory of Electron and Confocal Microscopy is equipped with the following instruments:

- Philips TEM CM 100

- Philips TEM CM 10

- Hitachi SEM S-2400

- Thermofisher ESEM FEG QUATTRO S

- Leica Confocal TCS SL

- BIO-RAD SC 502 sputter coater for gold metallization of samples.

Observations are always conducted in the presence of the specialized technician and can be booked by email. The price list and a brief description of the instrumentation are available at the following link (attachment 1).

Teaching, training and research activities

The laboratory also offers its resources to support:

• Biology and Geology degrees, practical exercises of Bachelor’s and Master's courses in the field of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Photochemistry and Molecular Materials;
• Preparation of the thesis for Bachelor, Master and PhD students (link attachment 2);
• Development of research projects (link attachment 2);
• Third-party activities.

Services and consultancy

The consultancy support of specialized scientists and technicians to the various instrumental analysis procedures, and advice on sample observation and preparation could be provided.