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About Electron Microscopy, Helsinki, Finland

View All Electron Microscopy at Instruct

CryoEM unit provides high-resolution imaging of nanoparticles, such as virus and protein complexes in the order of 100 kDa upwards (~5 to 300 nm in diameter). CryoEM is particularly useful for objects that are too large, unstable or variable to be studied by X-ray crystallography or NMR. It can be used to understand the structure, assembly and function of various biological macromolecule complexes. The site has over 20 years experience in the preparation and optimisation of samples for cryoEM. Access is especially suitable for those wanting to screen samples and get small prelimianary datasets that can be used as proof of principle for access to 300 kV machines or for longer data collection. Both genetically modified organisms and biosafety level 2 samples (Finnish criteria) can be handled but may require acquisition of permits per sample upto 40 days prior to handling. Correlative light microscopy and cryoEM is possible. We accept both visits and shipped samples. Biomolecular complexes studied by cryoEM can be purified in the Biocomplex purification facility located in the same building (see Biomolecular Complex Purification, Helsinki). Please contact grp-cryoemservice@helsinki.fi for enquiries.

Service Availability:

Remote

Physical

Instruments Available:

Talos Arctica is equipped with a Falcon 3 camera, phase plate and EPU.

  • Blot-free automatic plunge freezer for clipped bare grid technique that is used for the preparation of vitrified fluid samples for cryo-EM.
  • Suitable for biological suspensions and industrial emulsions in aqueous solvents.
  • Integrated plasma cleaner
  • Temperature controlled (4 degrees C and ambient).
  • Typical sample volume 1 µL for 12 clipped grids.
  • Biosafety laboratory level 2.

Fluorescent microscope equipped with a linkam cryo stage for examining vitrified specimen grids either clipped or unclipped

Vitrification with blotting from one side only, humidity and temperature controlled.

User Guide

See the instruments available. If you aim to work with organisms requiring Biosafety level 2 and or genetically modified organisms, please contact us in advance (grp-cryoemservice@helsinki.fi).

Instruct Centre

University of Helsinki

Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences & HiLIFE-Institute of Biotechnology

Viikinkaari 9

00790, Helsinki

Finland

www.helsinki.fi/en

Contacts:

Sarah Butcher
Sarah Butcher
University of Helsinki
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Behnam Lak
Behnam Lak
University of Helsinki
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Kiran Ahmad
Kiran Ahmad
University of Helsinki
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