Welcome to the Electron microscopy core facility (EMCF)

The electron microscopy core facility (EMCF) has started its services in 1989. Only one transmission electron microscope was operating at that time with two EM technologists. Ever since, significant progress has been noticed in terms of staff number, EMs and services provided. From the time it was established, EMCF has contributed substantially providing diagnostic services to government and non-government hospitals side by side with student teaching and research support. Nowadays, EMCF is considered as well-established facility with one field emission TEM, two thermionic TEMs and one SEM. Focusing on diagnostic work, EMCF plays and important role in diagnostic services for the whole of the country. Samples received include renal, muscle, blood and ciliary samples. In terms of research, EMCF get involved in several collaborative research projects with other academic institutions and partner researchers in the country. Moreover, it takes part in teaching SQU students who take courses require EM studies. When highlighting the community service, EMCF is one of the important pillars of the facility that is being always open to school student visits and participating in various local educational activities. 

Vision 

The Electron Microscopy Core Facility (EMCF) is a full service and support laboratory that is well equipped to promote research, teaching and training in various disciplines that require biological and material science analysis at ultrastructural level.

Mission 

Delivery of high-quality research, teaching and diagnostic services to better serve the scientific community of SQU and more.

Location 

The facility is located in the Department of Pathology, Ground floor, College of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Electron Microscopes: 

JEOL JEM-2100F: 200 kV FE (Field Emission) analytical electron microscope 

an advanced high resolution field emission  transmission electron microscope equipped with equipped with STEM, ASID, HAADF, EDS, EELS, Holography, Tomography and side mounted CCD Camera (Gatan).

JEOL JEM-1200EX:  is a transmission electron microscope with an operating voltage ranging from 40 to 120 kV. It is operating with tungsten filament. It  is mainly used for a life  science research and diagnostic  sample. And it is equipped with, side mounted 4K CCD Camera (AMT).

JEOL JEM-1230: is a transmission electron microscope with an operating voltage ranging from 40 to 120 kV. It is operating with tungsten filament. It  is mainly used for a life  science research and diagnostic  sample. It is  equipped with side mount 1K CCD Camera (Gatan)

JEOL JSM-5600LV:  Is a Scanning Electron Microscopy that can operate in a  high vacuum and  low vacuum (LV) mode, which is ideal for observing and analysing  non-conductive and wet specimens. It can be operated from 0.5 to 30 KV.  

A wiled range of materials and biological samples  can be examined on this SEM .And it is equipped with Oxford Inca EDS system which can be used in material elemental analysis and mapping.   

Sample preparation

Medical and Biological Processing Labs

                Ultramicrotomes

The ultramicrotome is an instrument commonly used to prepare TEM samples. It uses either a glass or diamond knife to cut ultra thin sections of specimens embedded in epoxy. The sections are approximately 60 to 100 nanometers in thickness and 0.5 to 3 mm in width and can be stained and mounted onto TEM grids for viewing. The ultramicrotome is also used to create mirror-smooth surfaces on samples mounted in epoxy, the applications for which include secondary imaging on the SEM and nanoindentation. Preparation on smooth samples for surface analysis need not always be of samples that are embedded, as sometimes bulk will work.

• Leica Ultracut UCT   
• Riechert-Jung Ultracut-E
• Leica ultracut R
• RMC powerTome XL

Tissue Processors

• Two Leica EM Tissue Processor (EM TP)

Cryogenic Equipment

• Freeze-Substitution System (LEICA EMAFS)
• Cryopreparation / Cryofixation Station (LEICA EMCPC)
• JEOL Freeze Drying Device (JFD-310)

Accessory Equipment

• Two Leica EM KMR 2 Knife Makers
• Leica EM KMR3 Knife Maker
• Leica EM Stain
• Pelco Critical Point Drying System (Pelco CPD2)
• Bio-Rad SEM Coating System
• Olympus Digital Optical Microscopes
• Leica Stereo Dissection Microscope
•  

Materials Preparation Equipment

• Gatan Ion Milling PIPS
• Gatan TCP
• Gatan, Disc Grinder
• Gatan Disc Punch
• Gatan Dimple Grinder
• Gatan cooling/healing specimen Holder
• Automatic Twin-Jet Electropolisher
• Tenupol Electrolytic thinning

Teaching: Electron microscopy staff contribute to the didactic and practical teaching of students of the biomedical sciences program in the College of Medicine and Health Sciences.  In addition, medical students and students from various science colleges in SQU rotate briefly in the EMCF as part of their curricular requirements.

Research: The facility provides assistance with research projects for the College of Medicine & Health Sciences, other colleges within SQU as well as governmental and private research centers within the country.

Diagnostic: EMCF provides diagnostic services for SQUH, Ministry of Health Hospitals, Armed Forces Hospital and Private sector hospitals/clinics. Diagnostic screening is carried out by the Department Pathologist with the assistance of Senior EM Staff.

Training: The facility provides training for SQU Undergraduate and Postgraduate students as well as Technologists from other institutions. Structured training programs are available for both TEM and SEM. The EMCF organizes various workshops periodically focusing on technical as well as interpretive aspects of electron microscopy. .

Consultancy: Consultancy services for SQU investigators and scientists from other institution within the country.

Community service: The EMCF regularly welcomes high school level students who visit the facility during school days to learn about the electron microscope and the ultrastructure of cells and tissues. These school visits are very popular with positive feedback. In addition, the facility participates in various University and national level exhibitions.

Facility  Use Policies

Electron Microscopy Core Facility (EMCF) at College of Medicine & health Sciences is a multi-user facility and it is imperative that all users work responsibly in the lab.

Access: The Electron Microscopy Core Facility is open Sunday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Arrangements can be made for holidays and after working hours to meet investigator’s needs, by contacting the Biomedical Scientist In charge. Most of the major equipment is available for use after hours by prior arrangement.

The following rules and regulations must be followed by trainees and staff:

All new users must go through health and safety as well as instrument training from EMCF staff.

EMCF users are not authorized to train fellow group members.

White lab coats and close toed foot wear is mandatory for all lab users.

All hazardous chemicals must be used in the hood and hazardous chemical wastes should be disposed off in their respective waste containers stored under the hood in the waste area.

In case of a spill it is very important that you immediately inform one of the EMCF staff to help you clean up the spill in an efficient and safe way.

Sharps, rubber bulbs, glass rods and other miscellaneous material present in the hood must stay in the hood. They are not to be moved out of the hood under any circumstances. These materials may be contaminated with fixatives.

Any instrument used must be entered into the appropriate logbooks.

Do not insert any hazardous materials/specimens inside EMCF microscopes.

Users are requested to clean up after using any instrumentation in the facility.

If you are the last user of the day, please turn off the microscope high voltage and beam and close the door behind you.

If in doubt about using any equipment or chemical please ask the EMCF staff. Any mistake on your part could put you and others at great risk. Proper chemical handling is expected from all users.

Contact information:

Working hours: Sunday- Thursday 0800 hrs to 1600hrs.

Telephone numbers: 2414-1180, 24143520

Email: emcf@squ.edu.om