Microscopic and Microanalysis services

Microscopic and Microanalysis laboratory (former Dept. of Electron Microscopy) provides the following equipment for morphologic and chemical analysis:

• Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and preparation of thin slices for analysis
• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and preparation of this slices for analysis
• Energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) and elemental analysis
• Confocal microscopy
• Optical microscopy and preparation of thin slices casted in polymer
• FTIRI, FTIR and Raman spectrometers
• Services of the Hard Tissue laboratory

For more information, please contact laboratory supervisor.

Contact info:
Laboratory Supervisor Arto Koistinen
phone: +358-44-716 3260
email: arto.koistinen[at]uef.fi

Applications and methods

The facilities can be used by researchers in the University of Kuopio and also by the researchers outside the University. The equipment includes several optical and electron microscopes, and various devices for specimen preparation. The facilities of the Hard Tissue Laboratory for sample preparation are introduced on a separate page.
The most important microscopes in the Centre are introduced shortly in the following:

Visible light microscopy

Nikon Microphot FXA optical microscope is well suited for studying and photographing of histological preparations. The microscope is equipped with versatile optics and CCD camera system for digital imaging.

Nikon Microphot FXA optical microscope with polarization equipment (left) and a optical microscope image of a thin slice of spectrolite stone (magnification is about 85 x) (right).

Nikon Eclipse inverted microscope equipped with PerkinElmer UltraVIEW confocal system gives possibilities to examine both fixed tissue sections and live cells. The system is applicable especially to fluorescent work. Digital imaging is possible.

Nikon Eclipse inverted microscope equipped with UltraVIEW confocal imaging system (left) and an image of a double-labeled cell culture (right).

Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope with microanalysis equipment

Philips XL30 ESEM-TMP environmental scanning electron microscope is applicable for the examination of both dry and water containing specimens with good resolution (3.5 nm). Specimens can also be analysed with Röntec EDS -analysator that makes the element analysis of the sample possible.

Philips XL30 ESEM-TMP environmental scanning electron microscope with Röntec EDS equipment (left), ESEM image from interstitial fluid, which includes Ti-particles dissolved from a titanium implant (magnification about 1200 x) and EDS element spectrum from the ESEM image point marked with the star.

Transmission Electron Microscope

JEOL JEM 1200-EX transmission electron microscope (TEM) is suitable for examining ultra thin (about 50 nm) tissue sections or very small particle like objects (e.g. viruses) with high resolution (about 0.2 nm). Images can be saved in digital form.

JEOL JEM 1200-EX transmission electron microscope (left) and TEM image from bovine cartilage that shows cross sections of collagene fibrils (magnification is about 15000 x).

FT-IR spectrometer, imaging FT-IR and Raman spectrometer

Latest investment of our facilities is PerkinElmer Spectrum Spotlight 300 -imaging system which was purchased in the beginning of 2003. It can be used in specific single-point and micro-ATR measurements and infrared imaging. Thermo Nicolet Nexus 8700 FT-IR spectrometer allows you to carry out e.g. single or multiple bounce ATR or variable angle monolayer measurement. Both devices represent modern surface analysis technology. In August 2006 we had a new dispersive Raman spectrometer, Bruker Optics SENTERRA 200LX, which complements the molecular composition research facilities. The Raman spectrometeris capable of confocal measurements and it can be utilized via using fiber optic measuring system.

Thermo Nicolet Nexus 8700 FT-IR -spectrometer (upper left), PerkinElmer Spectrum Spotlight 300 infrared imaging system (upper middle) and collagen distribution in a blood vessel section (upper right). Bruker Optics SENTERRA 200LX Raman spectrometer (lower left), optical microscope image if a cartilage section (lower middle) and distribution of proteins in the cartilage.