Recent developments in cellular structural biology approaches revolutionised the researchers’ ability to investigate biological processes. The direct imaging of unperturbed cellular environments of vitrified specimens now allows to analyse the function and structure of macromolecular complexes within their native context. These approaches are based on complex multi-modal workflows that rely on access to both cutting-edge instrumentation and advanced technical expertise. To address the ever-increasing demand of access to in-depth training in this field, the EMBL Imaging Centre offers a 5-day hands-on workshop diving into advanced focused ion beam – scanning electron microscopy methods under cryogenic conditions (cryo-FIB-SEM).

The workshop is aimed at PhD students, postdocs as well as facility staff with proven experience in basic cryo-FIB-SEM operations that are keen to deepen their expertise in advanced sample preparation and imaging methods for cellular structural biology. The workshop will offer a synergistic combination of lectures and practical hands-on sessions supported by leading experts in the field, providing the participants with the unique opportunity to establish a broad network with international specialists in the field. At the EMBL Imaging Centre, we are equipped with three cryo-FIB-SEM devices, 3 plunge freezer and one high-pressure freezers (HPFs) providing an ideal environment to host advanced training activities in which all participants will have the opportunity to have extensive practical experience.

This course will enable the participants to: prepare thick biological specimen using high-pressure freezing for waffle lamella preparation, implement cryo-CLEM correlative workflows for 3D targeting, set up automated lamella preparation (SerialFIB, Klumpe et al. 2021, eLife), and get insights into lift out procedures (Schiøtz et al. 2024; Nguyen et al. 2024). The offered lectures combined with the hands-on practicals will thus enable the participants to apply the newly acquired expertise at their home institutes to tackle their own research questions.

Find more info about the course HERE.

We are looking forward to receiving your application!

Application deadline 01. July 2026.

Funded by: