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+420 54949 3893 |
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Main Activity
Modern electron microscopy in structural biology on the cellular and molecular level is performed by cryo-electron microscopy and cryo-electron tomography. Cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) is the only method to address pleiomorphic structures like cells and organelles in a close to native state, while cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is applied to study single particles, primarily larger macromolecular complexes, which have been isolated and purified by biochemical methods. Both methodologies provide information on the cellular and molecular level and are therefore ideal for in-depth structural-functional analysis in combination with state of the art biochemical characterisation. The main activities of the Core Facility will be centred on application of cryo-EM and cryo-ET, implementations of the required image processing capabilities, and explorations of suitable cryo-preparation techniques.
Unique Features
The main objective of the Core Facility is to establish a world-class facility for cryo-electron microscopy accessible also for external users. The centre will provide access to EM instrumentation set up for high-throughput image acquisition for single particle analysis as well as for the acquisition of cellular cryo-electron tomograms. Moreover, it will provide assistance to external users/collaborators in image processing (e.g. 3-D reconstruction, denoising, pattern recognition, segmentation, visualization). External user projects will be selected by peer review on the basis of scientific merit, technical suitability and feasibility. The centre will also offer training enabling non-specialists to develop the necessary skills. The high-end instrumentation and the team of experienced researchers will ensure expert services, user training and the cost-effective use of resources.
Key Equipment (Core Facility fully operational from 2014)
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TEM microscope FEI Titan Krios equipped with a direct detector and an energy filter with a 4k CCD camera
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TEM microscope FEI Tecnai F20 equipped with a 4k CCD camera and two side-entry cryo-holders
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SEM/FIB microscope FEI Versa3D equipped with a Quorum cryo stage and transfer station
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Vitrification robot and a manual plunger
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Carbon coater and plasma cleaner
The Core Facility is part of Czech National Affiliated Centre of INSTRUCT.
All CEITEC core facilities are available to external users (academia and companies). Czech and international researchers from universities and research institutes interested in accessing core facilities can benefit from support of research infrastructure CIISB, funded by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic. International researchers can also benefit from support of Project iNext.
