EM Centre
Facility
The Electron Microscopy Centre is setup for single particle analysis (SPA) and cryo-electron tomography (cryoET) and is used prodomiatly for the screening of complex membrane proteins and cell membrane tissues.
Tranmission electron microscopes:-
- Glacios XFEG - high resolution screening of autogrids and data collection and can screen multiple grids atonomously (Autoloader system).
- Tecani F20 SFEG - high resolution screening and small dataset collection for quick 2D classes (side entry system).
- Tecnia 12 Spirit - negative stain imaging for initial sample optimisation and new user training.
- Tecnia 12 Twin - cryoEM sample optimisation and cryoEM training.
The facility has 2 prep labs for preparing support grids for staining, vitrifying support grids. There is also autogrid clipping and transfer room. Cryo-sample preparation, equipped stain their samples or freeze their samples in vitrified ice using The facility also has Vitrobot for sample vitrification and several cryo transfer holders (e.g Gatan 626 and 914) with and without high tilt capabilities for tomography and single particle data collection, respectively.
Access
Please note the EM facility is setup for single particle analysis (SPA) and is equipped for the following applications; Negative stain, CryoEM and Tomography of single particles and cell membrane tissues. Please contact the facility manager if you wish to perform other other application outside of this scope.
To use the facility for your research project?
- Imperial College investigators/groups within the DoLS and DOM, please register here on our PPMS booking system for access to the facility.
- All other Imperial College departments or external interested parties, please contact the Facility Manager to discuss your project and avaialble options.
Transmission Electron Microscopes in the Centre
TEM - Glacios (XFEG)
Microscope
200kV cryo-transmission electron microscope (TEM) use for high resolution structural analysis (single particle and tomography) of protein complexes and cell membrane specimens, using a variety of applications and acquisition software to generate the images and data collections. This microscope also has 12 grid autoloading system an automated LN2 filling to accomadate autonmous data collections.
NEWS - recently been awarded funding for the new Selectris energy filter.
Camera
- FALCON 4 - Direct Electron Detector
- CETA D - CMOS camera, diffraction scintilator
Applications
- SPA (Single particle analyses) - EPU automated data collection
- CryoET - Leginon automated data collection or Tomo 4
- MicroED - microcrystal electron diffraction
- Phase Plate
Software
- EPU version 2.0
- Leginon (cryoET)
- Tomo5
- Sherpa (AutoCTF)
- Maps
- Athena (live data validation)
Holders
Autoloader system holds 12 autogrids.
Tecnia F20
Microscope
200kV cryo-transmission electron microscope (TEM) use for high resolution structural analysis (single particle and tomography) of protein complexes and cell membrane specimens, using a variety of applications and acquisition software to generate the images and data collections. This microscope also has an automated LN2 filling robot to allow over-night cryo-tomography data collections.
Camera
- CMOS 16 megapixel 'Direct Electron Detector' (Falcon II)
- CCD 2K camera (Gatan Orius SC200)
Applications
- SPA (Single particle analyses) - EPU automated data collection
- Cryo-tomography - Leginon automated data collection
- Diffraction
Software
- EPU
- Leginon (cryoET)
- Serial EM - Data acquisition software (to be installed)
- Digital Micrograph - Orius camera software
- TIA
Holders
- Gatan 626 cryo-holder
- Gatan 914 tomography holder
FEI Tecnai G2 Spirit TWIN
Microscope
This 120kV TEM is a popular microscope use prodominantly for negative stain screening and training. It's also cryo-capable.
Specification
- FEI 2K eagle camera
- LAB6 (standard 90 degrees)
- TIA
- Low Dose (CryoEM)
Tecnai T12 twin (LAB6)
Microscope
This 120kV twin lens microscope is used for cryo-TEM screening with 626 holder for checking vitreous ice thickness, contamination, particle concentration and conformation. 
Specification
- CCD camera (F216, TVIPS)
- Leginon data collection.
- EMMenu 4
- LAB6 filament (60 degrees)
- Low Dose option
- Gatan 626 cryo-holder
- Cryo-TEM screening