Electron Microscopy, Oxford, UK

OPIC houses state-of-the-art equipment for cryo-EM single particles analysis, in-situ FIB-SEM and cryo-ET of biological specimens, from small macromolecular complexes to cells. Our facilities are available to all researchers from across the University of Oxford as well as external users from both academia and industry.

Our facility includes a series of plunging devices (Vitrobots, GP2 Leica plunger), grids micro-patterning (Primo, Alveole) for preparing and optimizing grids to image both purified macromolecular complexes or cells. A 200-kV Glacios (Thermo Fisher Scientific) cryo-TEM equipped with a Falcon III direct electron detector for sample screening, grid optimizations and initial data collection. A 300-kV Titan Krios G3i (Thermo Fisher Scientific) cryo-TEM equipped with Falcon 4 direct electron detector and a Selectris-X imaging filter for high resolution single particles and tomography data collection. A Thermo Fisher Scientific Aquilos 2, which is a dual beam system dedicated to the preparation of thin, electron-transparent cellular lamellas for high-resolution cryo-electron tomography or MicroED of micro-crystals.

Equipment provided in OPIC are located within biosafety containment laboratories at ACDP category 3 and DEFRA 4 levels of containment which facilitates the study of live pathogenic viruses that are important to human and animal health.

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User Guide

Access to our facility is provided through 3 main workflows. If none of them are matching your needs please get in touch directly.

Krios Single Particle and Tomography data collection: If you already have grids prepared and screened, you can apply for Krios access for high-end data acquisition (single particle or electron tomography)

Cryo-EM single particle project: If you require assistance for grid preparation/optimization, initial grid screening and/or preliminary data analysis, this will provide you assistance during project work up. We will assign the appropriate equipment depending on the stage and the evolution of your project.

Cryo-EM in-situ tomography project: If you require FIB-SEM and cryo-ET of cells and/or tissues. Be aware that in-situ structural biology project could requires lot of optimization and that applying to an instruct internship might be beneficial to get your project moving forward. Our facility can support you optimizing the distribution of cells on grids using Primo micro-patterning (Alveole). We have a Thermo Fisher Scientific Aquilos 2, which is a dual beam system dedicated to the preparation of thin, electron-transparent cellular lamellas for high-resolution cryo-electron tomography. High-end tomograms acquisition will be performed with a Thermo Fisher Scientific Titan Krios with Falcon 4 direct electron detector and a Selectris-X imaging filter.