Microscopy and X-ray Diffraction Service (SMiDRX)

The Microscopy and X-ray Diffraction Service (SMiDRX) has the necessary infrastructure for most experimental scientific specialities that require the use of advanced optical and electron microscopy techniques, which are indispensable for studies in fields such as materials science, biomedical sciences and nanotechnology, among others.

Services

• Advice on experimental design and preparation of material samples for Electron Microscopy (TEM and SEM), using a metalliser (Au, C, Cr), saw, flat and concave polisher, ion thinner and vitrification equipment.
• Preparation of biological samples (suspensions, dry samples, cells and tissues...) for electron microscopy: ultrastructural studies (negative staining, among others).
• Observation of material and biological samples by scanning electron microscopy, using a Zeiss EVO SEM and a Zeiss Merlin FE-SEM (see Service equipment web page).
• Observation of material and biological samples by transmission electron microscopy, using a Jeol 2011 TEM and a Jeol 1400 TEM (see Service equipment web pages).
• Advice on experimental design and preparation of biological and material samples for Optical Microscopy: immunofluorescences, among others.
• Observation of material and biological samples by bright-field and fluorescence optical microscopy in epifluorescence and confocal modes (Lambdascan, 3D projections, timelapse, TileScan (mosaics)…), using Leica TCS SP5 and Olympus Fluoview 1000 (see Service equipment website).
• Advanced optical techniques: colocalisation, FRET, FRAP, photoactivation and photoconversion, CALI, Second Harmonic Generation (SHG), two-photon, TIRF, topographic profiling, among others.
• Image processing, programming and analysis using various software packages (IMARIS, ImageJ/Fiji, Metamorph, Huygens, LAS AF…).