SEMINAR: Cryo-preparation of tissue for ultrastructural characterisation: New opportunities in biological electron microscopy - Dr Jeremy Shaw

The Speaker: Dr Jeremy Shaw is a research associate with a Ph.D. in marine and biological sciences. His principal research interests involve the elucidation of the cellular and organic matrix driven processes of invertebrate biomineralisation. Dr Shaw’s main field of expertise is in electron microscopy (TEM and SEM), coupled with analytical techniques such as energy-filtered TEM and X-ray microanalysis (EDS). He is also responsible for coordinating research involving the CMCA’s new cryo-preparation facility, which includes a state of the art high-pressure freezer, freeze-substitution and cryo-microtomy system.

The Seminar: The cryo-facility at the Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis comprises a suite of state-of-the-art instrumentation for preserving cells and tissues for electron microscopic investigations. Cryo-fixation of biological material offers a number of significant advantages compared to conventional chemical methods of tissue preservation. In particular, cryo-fixation results in the immediate cessation of biological activity down to the atomic level, thereby immobilising and preserving all cellular constituents. As a result, the ultrastructure of tissues is often free from distortions and the samples elemental and antigenic characteristics are retained. These methods of sample preparation are particularly complementary to immunological studies where the retention of antigenicity is required.