Electron Microscopy

The Bioimaging Core Facility provides a state-of-the-art microscopy resource to the University, other academic institutions and industry. It comprises of three sites within the University, each running multiple microscopes. There is a comprehensive image analysis suite, allowing users to perform off-line deconvolution and create automated analysis workflows. The facility caters for a wide variety of imaging requirements and offers conventional brightfield, phase, DIC and wide field-fluorescence microscopy as well as confocal-microscopy including ‘high-content’ confocal screening.

 
Transmission electron microscopy may aid in the diagnosis of routine surgical cases. By examining the ultra-structure of tissues we can define the morphological aspects of disease processes, aiding diagnosis. In addition, as a University teaching hospital, research projects are undertaken and many cases are received as referrals from across the North.

 
Seventy five per cent of cases are renal biopsies where visualisation of specific ultrastructural features is often of great prognostic value. Other tissues routinely prepared and screened include GI, lung, skin, brain, heart and nerves.

 
Preparation of material is highly skilled requiring dexterity and patience to produce quality ultra-sections (100-120nm) with interpretive screening being undertaken by experienced Biomedical Scientists, often in conjunction with Medical Consultants.

 
NovoPath is currently exploring the feasibility of developing expertise and capabilities in other novel imaging methodologies such as light sheet microscopy, MUSE microscopy and label-free molecular digital pathology (infrared chemical imaging).