Electron microscopy uses a beam of accelerated electrons to visualise specimens. This can create high resolution images that reveal the fine structures of cells, microorganisms, molecules, metals, crystals and many other specimens.
Read more about:
Your project
Richard Easingwood
To start a project, please contact a staff member to discuss options, normally this contact will be Richard Easingwood. If appropriate, we will then ask you to register your intention to use the facility so that we have your details.
If you are new to electron microscopy, discussing your plans before you start collecting specimens, especially biological specimens, is strongly advised. The staff will help you with specimen preparation and, where appropriate, train you to use the equipment.
Depending on your needs and the scale of your project, you may choose to use the facility in a fairly independent manner (subject to appropriate training and staff approval), or have the staff do the bulk of your work.
Advice and consultation
Contact forqueries and new projects:
Richard Easingwood (Manager EM)
Email electron.microscopy@otago.ac.nz
or richard.easingwood@otago.ac.nz
Chair of Electron Microscopy Users' Group Associate Professor Mihnea Bostina
Email mihnea.bostina@otago.ac.nz
Services and techniques
Our electron microscopy facility accommodates a broad range of techniques.
Electron microscopy staff expertise
Visit Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques to read more about:
- Array Tomography
- Backscattered Electron Imaging
- Cathodoluminescence
- Cryo-SEM
- Electron Backscatter Diffraction Imaging
- Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy
- High Resolution SEM
- Secondary Electron Imaging
- Variable Pressure SEM
Visit Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques to read more about:
- Conventional TEM
- Correlative TEM
- Cryo-TEM
- Cryoultramicrotomy
- Electron Tomography
- Freeze-Fracture TEM
- Heating and Cooling TEM
- High Pressure Freezing (HPF)
- Immunocytochemistry
- Metal Shadowing
- Negative Staining
- Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM)
- Single Particle Reconstruction
Other services
- Consumables for Electron Microscopy
- Liquid nitrogen supply
Costs
Charges for Electron Microscope use
Users can choose to be charged at the casual hourly rate or to prepay for a Tiered Fee.
Health Science Division (HSD) rates only apply to HSD Dunedin campus departments.
- Tier user application form (PDF)
- OMNI Electron Microscopy charges 2024 (PDF)
- Electron Microscopy sample processing charges 2024 (PDF)
- OMNI Electron and Confocal Microscopy tiered charges 2025 (PDF)
- Electron Microscopy sample processing charges 2025 (PDF)
Equipment
Discussing your Electron Microscopy needs with staff is essential prior to registration and training in the use of equipment. Access to booking calendars is given only after users demonstrate competence on the relevant equipment.
Visit Microscope specifications and sample preparation equipment for more information about:
- JEOL 2200FS Cryo-TEM
- JEOL 6700F FE-SEM
- JEOL 1400 Flash TEM with Oxford EDS
- Philips CM100 TEM
- Zeiss Serial Block Face SEM
- Zeiss Sigma VP FEG SEM with Oxford EDS
- SEM and TEM sample preparation equipment
For more about our equipment's capabilities visit:
Registration
To begin a new project please read the User Policy and complete a Project Registration form. This includes projects involving transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultramicrotomy sectioning, specimen preparation, or supply of liquid nitrogen.
Those paying with a University of Otago account code should complete the registration for internal users. Everyone else should complete the form for external users. External users usually include those from other universities and everyone using an external purchase order. Regular external users can be set up with a University Receivable Account for ease of future billing - please request an account application if you would like to pay this way.
- Electron Microscopy User Policy
- OMNI Electron Microscopy Project Registration - internal users
- OMNI Electron Microscopy Project Registration - external users
- OMNI Equipment Use Policy (PDF)
User Group
The User Group consists of members that represent University of Otago departments that use the Electron Microscopy unit and it advises the OMNI Academic Advisory Group on direction and strategy.
Visit About us for information about how our user groups work and how to make contact.
Training and online resources
Technique training resources and support
Email richard.easingwood@otago.ac.nz if you need help or advice.
- Visit My Scope for advanced instrumentation and techniques (AMMRF website)
Data analysis resources and support
The Electron Microscopy unit has various computer hardware running OS X and Linux for data processing and analysis. These computers are available for registered users. Please discuss your data processing needs with the staff.
Electron microscopy data and archiving provides advice on protecting your data.
Societies
Electron microscopy research news
- Otago staff attend "Olympics of Microscopy"
- Advanced EELS and TEM camera technology presentation
- Otago augmented reality journal cover world's first
- Nobel Prize winner visits
- Protein crystals key to glow
- Deep ocean volcanic eruption changes thinking