Expertise
Imaging Platforms
Keywords - Light Microscopy: Confocal microscopy | Superresolution microscopy | Widefield microscopy | Live cell imaging
Keywords - Electron Microscopy: Transmission EM | Scanning Transmission EM | Electron tomography | Scanning EM (FEG) | Serial Block Face SEM | Cryo-TEM | Cryo-ET
The LM section of the Facility is managed by Dr Alan Wainman and includes the following microscopes:
- Zeiss Axiovert 200 epifluorescence microscope
- Olympus FV1000 confocal
- Olympus FV1200 confocal, for live cell imaging and DNA damage studies
- Zeiss 880 Airyscan, for super-resolution and live cell imaging
The EM section of the Facility is managed by Dr Errin Johnson and comprises a comprehensive suite of EMs:
- JEOL 1400Flash TEM, with a Gatan Rio CMOS camera
- JEOL 2100Plus, with STEM detector and Gatan OneView CMOS camera
- JEOL 4700F FIB-SEM with Omniprobe for room temperature volume EM and lift-outs
- Zeiss Sigma 300 Field Emission Gun SEM (FEG-SEM), equipped with BSE and STEM detectors, as well as a Ultim Xtreme EDS detector from Oxford Instruments for biological microanalysis
- Zeiss Merlin Compact FEG-SEM with Gatan 3View (in association with Oxford Brookes) for serial block face imaging
Applications
Keywords - Biological: Cell Biology | Neurobiology | Developmental Biology | Immunobiology | Plant Biology | Zebrafish | C.elegans | Drosophila | Microbiology | Bio-materials | Histology/pathology | Food
Keywords - Physical Sciences: Bioengineering & biomaterials | Nanomaterials | Polymers and organic electronics
We support research across a diverse range fields including Medicine, Pathology, Zoology, Biochemistry, Plant Sciences, Chemistry, Engineering and Physics. Our staff have extensive experience preparing and imaging a wide variety of biological samples, from protein and viruses, to bacteria and culture cells and through to model systems, such as Drosophila, mouse and Arabidopsis, as well as bio-materials, such as functionalised nanoparticles, DNA scaffolds, microbubbles and biological fuel cells.
Sample Preparation
KEYWORDS - BIOLOGICAL: RESIN EMBEDDING | ULTRATHIN SECTIONING | SERIAL SECTIONING | IMMUNOLABELLING | PLUNGE FREEZING | HIGH PRESSURE FREEZING | FREEZE SUBSTITUTION | CRITICAL POINT DRYING | METAL COATING | NEGATIVE STAIN | PHOTOCONVERSION | CORRELATIVE LIGHT & EM | PLT | IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE | VIBRATING MICROTOME | LIVE CELL
The Biological EM sample preparation lab is equipped to process samples for many different EM techniques, from standard negative staining and resin embedding, through to advanced techniques such as cryo-EM, 3D-EM and correlative light and electron microscopy. The following instruments are available to facilitate this:
- Leica EM PACT2 High pressure freezer, for cryo-fixation of cells and tissue
- Leica AFS2 automated freeze substitution unit, with FSP robot attachment
- Leica EM AMW automated microwave sample processor
- Leica Ultracut S ultramicrotome
- Leica UC7 ultramicrotome
- Leica V1200 S Vibratome
- Leica KMR3 knifemaker
- Quorum ES dual coating unit
- Pelco Easiglow unit
- Touismis Autosamdri-815 critical point dryer
Please get in touch for more information about any of these techniques or instruments, and to learn more about how EM could benefit your research.
Data Analysis
Keywords - Software: ImageJ | FIJI | Imaris | Amira | IMOD | Matlab | Metamorph | Digital Micrograph/ GMS
We have a range of image analysis and 3D reconstruction software available for use on dedicated computer stations.
Shared Access
The Dunn School Bioimaging Facility is open to all members of Oxford University, as well as to external researchers and to industry. Full training is offered, as well as advice for experimental design and help with troubleshooting. Usage charges are available on request and vary depending on the instrument and project type. We are also able to prepare quotes for grant applications. Full or partial service work is also available for EM sample preparation and EM imaging, for an additional fee.