Microscopy for Biomedicine

The group works on electron microscopy of biomedical samples imaged at high vacuum, which therefore require dedicated specimen preparation. It operates equipment for cryogenic preparation, which preserves the structure of hydrated samples under the vacuum of the microscope.

The group develops quantitative imaging of thin specimens based on the detection of transmitted scattered electrons in the scanning electron microscope. This makes it possible to image the structure of an object at high resolution and, at the same time, to measure its local thickness or mass — for example the molecular mass of protein complexes. This line of work extends into 4D-STEM techniques and low-dose imaging of beam-sensitive specimens.

Further areas are correlative and multimodal microscopy, in particular the combination of cryogenic electron microscopy with Raman spectroscopy, volume electron microscopy, and the development of signal-electron detectors including new scintillation materials, carried out with industrial partners.

The current members of the group, its instrumentation and ongoing projects are listed on the group website: www.isibrno.cz/bioem