Microscopy Laboratory now open!
Academic researchers of the University of Wrocław now have the opportunity to use the state-of-the-art electron microscope. Inauguration of the Microscopy Laboratory was accompanied by the demonstration of new state-of-the-art laboratory equipment. Transmission electron microscope Talos L120C brings new opportunities and world-class research quality.
The official inauguration of the University of Wrocław’s Microscopy Laboratory of the Faculty of Biological Sciences took place on the 23rd of January, 2023 and celebrated the acquisition of manufactured by Thermo Fisher Scientific electron microscope Talos L120C. The acquisition of the microscope was financed by the Excellence Initiative – Research University as a result of the 2nd edition of the competition for funding laboratory equipment. The main architect of the project was Professor Małgorzata Daczewska, Head of the Department of Animal Developmental Biology of the University of Wrocław’s Faculty of Biological Sciences. Among the attendees of the inauguration were the authorities of the Faculty: Dean of the Faculty prof. dr hab. Marcin Kadej, Vice-Deans of the Faculty dr hab. Elżbieta Myśków and dr hab. Donata Wawrzycka, and the staff of the Faculty of Biological Sciences. Additionally, the inauguration was attended by Mr. Jakub Chocyk of Labsoft, which is a representative company of Thermo Fisher Scientific in Poland.
– Transmission electron microscope (TEM) is nowadays one of the most required laboratory appliances for researches working in the fields of biological studies, such as morphology, genetics or molecular biology. TEM allows the observation of the ultrastructure of biological samples, such as plant and animal tissues and their fragments, cells originating from cell, bacterial, fungal and viral cultures in the micro and nanoscale. Electron microscope Talos L120C brings new opportunities and world-class research quality. Apart from the high quality of imaging and working comfort, which is a result of the ability to electronically control the parameters of microscope and allows for working in daylight, it is equipped with the computed tomography system, system STEM and EDS. Computed tomography system along with the dedicated software allows for the 3D reconstruction of microscopic images, while EDS system allows for the analysis of the elemental composition of materials – says dr Marta Mazurkiewicz-Kania.
The Microscopy Laboratory allows for the preparation of samples for the microscopic analysis in the transmission electron microscope (fixation, embedding, cutting, staining), scanning (fixation, drying, sputter coating) and confocal. Aside from the preparation, Laboratory offers the staff of UWr and other institutions the opportunity for observation, analysis and photographic documentation of the samples. This Laboratory is the only laboratory of UWr that allows for the analysis of biological samples with the usage of electron microscopy.
– With the acquisition of the new microscope, we also gained working comfort in the field of sample preparation. Additionally, the ability to correlate images in the light and electron microscopes in the same working station will help in the interpretation of research results. Usage of wide computer screens to image samples will allow simultaneous analysis of samples by the operator and the principal of the research, which will aid researchers in communication. Moreover, it will help in teaching activities – adds mgr Sylwia Nowak.
Transmission electron microscope Talos L120C, manufactured by Thermo Fisher Scientific, will allow conducting numerous types of biological samples research (not only), analysis of the surface and the internal ultrastructure of biological samples and the elemental composition of organic and nonorganic samples, such as polymers, alloys, plastics and different types of components. This universality will allow for cooperation between the fields of biological, environmental and medical studies, but also with the specialists of different fields. Research conducted with high-quality transmission electron microscopy results in an increase of the chances for securing funding for world-class research projects. Moreover, it helps with the establishment of cooperation in the national and international scientific fields.
Translated by Adrian Błoniewski (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice.
