Molecular Systems Biology Unit<\/a>, EMBL, Heidelberg, Germany<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Understanding biological structures across multiple scales\u2014from whole cells and tissues down to macromolecular assemblies\u2014requires preparation and imaging workflows that are both precise and robust. Cryogenic focused ion beam\u2013scanning electron microscopy (cryo\u2011FIB\u2011SEM) has become a key enabling technology in this context, particularly for the preparation of thin lamellae for cryo\u2011electron tomography and, more recently, for three\u2011dimensional imaging of vitrified specimens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite its growing importance, the routine implementation of cryo\u2011FIB\u2011SEM workflows remains challenging for many laboratories. Long preparation times, difficult targeting of regions of interest, and the inherent complexity of operating under cryogenic conditions often hinder reproducibility and limit broader adoption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this workshop, we present our approach to developing and optimizing cryo\u2011FIB\u2011SEM workflows in close collaboration with life science researchers using the TESCAN SOLARIS X 2 platform. These efforts are carried out in close partnership with EMBL Heidelberg, under the scientific guidance of Dr. Julia Mahamid, a leading expert in in-situ structural biology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our joint work focuses on systematically addressing experimentally relevant questions raised by the user community: how to reduce preparation time without compromising data quality, how to improve reproducibility across users and specimen types, and how to reliably identify structures of interest within vitrified samples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Mahamid will share how the SOLARIS\u202fX 2 system\u2014and the associated co\u2011development efforts\u2014are integrated into everyday research projects in her laboratory, with a particular focus on recent results demonstrating how standard versus low\u2011kV polishing using the MISTRAL\u2122 Xe plasma FIB influence data yield and quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The workshop will further highlight key components of the workflow, including the MISTRAL\u2122 Xe plasma FIB for stable, high\u2011current milling and controlled low\u2011kV polishing, as well as the Delmic METEOR\u2122 2.0 integrated cryo\u2011fluorescence microscope for in situ fluorescence\u2011guided targeting within the cryo\u2011FIB\u2011SEM chamber. Together, these technologies aim to enhance targeting accuracy, enable efficient access to deeply embedded regions of interest, and support reproducible lamella preparation, as well as large\u2011volume cryogenic cross\u2011sectioning and three\u2011dimensional analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t miss the opportunity to take part in the practical session, visit the laboratory, and interact directly with EMBL and Tescan experts. Capacity is limited, so early registration is recommended.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Jana \u0160m\u00eddov\u00e1, Tescan Group a.s., Brno, Czech Republic Julia Mahamid, Molecular Systems Biology Unit, EMBL, Heidelberg, Germany Understanding biological structures across multiple scales\u2014from whole cells and tissues down to macromolecular assemblies\u2014requires preparation and imaging workflows…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"embl_taxonomy":[],"class_list":["post-76927","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"embl_taxonomy_terms":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/76927","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=76927"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/76927\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":76955,"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/76927\/revisions\/76955"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=76927"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"embl_taxonomy","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/imaging-centre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/embl_taxonomy?post=76927"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}