The EMCF, located in Bioquant, provides technical and scientific support for conventional transmission electron microscopy including ImmunEM to members of the University of Heidelberg.

General information
The EMCF is currently set up at the University of Heidelberg and is supported by the Excellence-cluster ‘Cell Networks‘, Heidelberg Molecular Life Sciences (HMLS) and the Medical Faculty of the University of Heidelberg. It provides both technical and scientific support for conventional transmission electron microscopy to members of the University of Heidelberg.

Vesicles induced by dengue virus. Immuno-gold labeling of thawed cryo-sections. Cell, Host and Microbe, in press.

People and techniques involved

The EMCF is run by scientific and technical staff and is presently located in the Bioquant building (INF 267). In the initial stages it provides conventional TEM of thin sections of resin-embedded samples, immuno-labeling of thawed cryo-sections (Tokuyashu technique) and negative stained samples. Development towards other techniques (high pressure freezing, freeze-substitution, electron tomography, cryo-EM and SEM) is planned in the future. An online system will be created for the booking of the ultra-microtomes of the facility as well as TEMs available for general use on the campus. The scientific staff consists of Dr. Ingrid Hausser and Dr. Jacomine Krijnse Locker. The technical staff is currently being instructed.

 

How to approach the EMCF

Scientists interested in using the facility should submit a formal proposal byemail to the two scientific members. This should consist of a short (5-10 sentences) description of the scientific question that includes information about the origin of the sample (cultured cells, organ, tissue, species etc.). Requests for immuno-labeling of thawed cryo-sections should include information about the antibody and an immuno-labeled fluorescence microscopy image. Applications will be evaluated on a weekly basis and assigned to either a service or project. Service is typically work that involves about 3-4 days of preparation and can be finished in 2-3 weeks. Any application that goes beyond this is considered a project. For projects we request the contribution of the scientist involved, who will be provided with technical and scientific support.


Who can use the EMCF
We provide support for all members of the University of Heidelberg. Other researchers should contact scientific staff for information.

 

Desmosomes between epidermal keratinocytes, resin embedding

 Fees

The EMCF is currently supported by a start-up grant and charges modest prices for services (ca. 300€ for a sample to be embedded conventionally in Epon or for one immuno-labeling procedure; 80€ per electron microscope hour). A detailed pricing list can be obtained upon request. For projects the researchers are asked to provide reagents and/or consumables required for sample preparation.

 

Contact
emcf [ aT ] bioquant.uni-heidelberg.de
phone: 06221 54 51412

HIV in human macrophages. Resin embedding after ruthenium red staining. From PLOS pathog. (2007), 3:1-11.	Dermal nerve endings and cross sections of collagen fibrils. Resin embedding.