Scientists at the University of Wisconsin have developed a new electron microscope, which can provide high-resolution three-dimensional images of biological samples. The microscope has the ability to view thick and flash frozen samples. This is a major development from the traditional electron microscopes, which provide two-dimensional images with grey shades.
The microscope directs a large number of electrons at the sample at a tilted angle of 60¢ª. While this technique is used regularly in medical applications to provide images of the interior of the human body, the new microscope creates a two-dimensional image and then combines this with the original sample to create three-dimensional images. The microscope also uses a "cryo" capability, which allows it to freeze the sample so that the properties of the sample remain the same. This enables researchers to study samples without the need to destroy them. With the help of this microscope, scientists can now calculate the distance and surface area between cell structures. The system was provided with a grant of $1.5 million from the National Science Foundation and the proposal was jointly presented by the Laboratory for Optical and Computation and researchers from the fields of zoology, soil science, physics and molecular virology.
The microscope, which is expected to be installed by spring will be located in the Material Sciences Centre of the College of Engineering. It will be maintained through funds provided by the Morgridge Institute of Research and the college. The beneficiaries of the grant are working through a deal to purchase the microscope.
Source: http://www.wisc.edu