Electron Microscopy

Equipped with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), our EM capability includes fee-based services from sample preparation to imaging and analysis as well as training and collaboration enabling users to operate the instruments independently.

Our staff have over 25 years of experience in EM and can offer advanced techniques including serial block face SEM, array tomography, immuno EM, cryo-TEM and SEM. We work with academic researchers and industry partners across all disciplines, including biological, pharmaceutical, biomedical, material and environmental sciences.

We are committed to providing high-quality research support and services to our customers. As part of our ongoing commitment to quality, the facility is currently seeking ISO9001 certification. Read our quality statement.

We can we offer:

  • initial and ongoing project planning and advice and consultation
  • basic and advanced microscopy techniques
  • sample preparation services, equipment and advice
  • training and collaboration
  • independent access to EM facility for trained users.

  • Ultrastructural and structural biology
    Structural investigations of single cells to large tissues, proteins and nucleic acids, viruses and bacteria
  • Cryo-electron microscopy
    Superior preservation of samples in their native state
  • Elemental analysis
    EDX analyses of biologicals and materials
  • Volume SEM capabilities 
    ConnectomX Katana SBF SEM attachment for serial block face SEM and STAR system for array tomography

Jeol JEM-2100 TEM

The Jeol JEM-2100 is a LaB6 200 kV transmission electron microscope equipped with the AMT NanoSprint15 Mk-11 digital cameras for widefield or high-resolution imaging. This TEM is suitable for a wide range of samples, including biological and materials samples. Cryo-TEM, for imaging of frozen hydrated specimens is also available. Resolution in the micron to sub-nanometer range.

Cryo-TEM equipment

An FEI Vitrobot is available for semi-automated preparation of frozen hydrated specimens for cryo-TEM. A Gatan 626 cryo specimen holder and SmartSet workstation enable transfer of frozen samples into the TEM.

Hitachi SU7000 Field Emission SEM

The Hitachi SU7000 is a high performance scanning electron microscope equipped with secondary, backscatter and STEM detectors. Featuring:

  • Oxford EDS for microanalysis
  • ConnectomX Katana for serial block face 3D imaging
  • Cryo stage and cryo/inert atmosphere transfer system.
  • Automated wide area montaging
  • Up to 6 simultaneous signals

Hitachi SU7000 Field Emission SEMHitachi SU7000 Field Emission SEM-1Hitachi SU7000 Field Emission SEM-2

Hitachi TM3030Plus Tabletop SEM

The TM3030Plus is a compact variable pressure benchtop SEM with optional 5 or 15 kV accelerating voltages and BSE and SE detectors for imaging. The instrument is additionally fitted with a Bruker elemental dispersive X ray spectroscopy (EDS) detector and Quantax software for element mapping. Can be used effectively with many fresh samples (e.g. pollen, seeds, insects).

Hitachi TM3030Plus Tabletop SEM

Hitachi TM4000 Tabletop SEM

A simple to use workhorse for low power SEM imaging that is quick and easy to use. It features an electronic stage and improved sample navigation tools.

The electron microscopy capabilty has contributed to a number of publications. Our selected recent publications include:

  1. Barry Collin H, Ratcliffe J, Collin SP. Morphology of the cornea and iris in the Australian lungfish Neoceratodus forsteri (Krefft 1870) (Dipnoi): Functional and evolutionary perspectives of transitioning from an aquatic to a terrestrial environment. J Morphol. 2024 Jan;285(1):e21662. doi: 10.1002/jmor.21662.
  2. Loterio RK, Monson EA, Templin R, de Bruyne JT, Flores HA, Mackenzie JM, Ramm G, Helbig KJ, Simmons CP, Fraser JE. Antiviral Wolbachia strains associate with Aedes aegypti endoplasmic reticulum membranes and induce lipid droplet formation to restrict dengue virus replication. mBio. 2024 Feb 14;15(2):e0249523. doi: 10.1128/mbio.02495-23.
  3. Bonner, Scott, van de Wakker, Simonides Immanuel, Phillips, William, Willms, Eduard, Sluijter, Joost PG, Hill, Andrew F, Wood, Matthew JA and Vader, Pieter (2024) Scalable purification of extracellular vesicles with high yield and purity using multimodal flowthrough chromatography. Journal of extracellular biology, 3 (2). https://doi.org/10.1002/jex2.138.
  4. Khan GA, Dutta A, van de Meene A, Frandsen KEH, Ogden M, Whelan J, Persson S. Phosphate starvation regulates cellulose synthesis to modify root growth. Plant Physiol. 2024 Jan 31;194(2):1204-1217. doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiad543.

The platform’s contributions to research outputs (e.g., publications, presentations, posters) should be acknowledged where possible. These contributions could include:

  • paid technical help and services
  • accessing research equipment
  • scientific advice
  • writing assistance.

Proper acknowledgement enables us to demonstrate our value to the research community and highlight our impact on research excellence, which is critical to securing continued funding for our services. Our staff are also researchers with extensive experience and citing them helps to advance their careers.

In cases where substantial intellectual and experimental contributions were made by platform staff, co-authorship must also be offered in accordance with the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, regardless of whether payment was made for the services. Researchers should also notify the platform of any publications arising from the support provided by our staff, regardless of whether a co-authorship is offered.

Learn more about how to acknowledge us:

All publications resulting from the use of our services and facilities should include this acknowledgement:

‘The authors acknowledge the La Trobe University [Platform Name] for [support received].’

e.g., The authors acknowledge the La Trobe University Proteomics and Metabolomics Platform for the provision of instrumentation, training and technical support.

OR

e.g., The authors acknowledge the La Trobe University Statistics Consultancy Platform for providing advice on statistical analysis.

If you received significant assistance, guidance or help from our platform staff, or where staff have personally generated research data, they should be acknowledged by name:

‘The authors thank [Staff Name] from the La Trobe University [Platform Name] for [his/her/their] support and guidance in this work.’

e.g., The authors thank [Staff Name] from the La Trobe University Proteomics and Metabolomics Platform for collecting and analysing data for proteomics studies, shown in Figure X.

If a platform staff contribute more than just routine techniques or advice, they should be invited to be a co-author on the publications that describe the data. This applies to the development or adaptation of protocols to suit specific experiments, samples or materials, (re)design of experiments, and extensive data analysis and interpretation.

Co-authorship is independent of whether payment was made for the work/ service.