Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM):

1) Standard routine processing of specimens with fixation through embedding.
2) Standard thick and thin sectioning with staining.
3) Viewing and photography on the TEM.
4) Negatives scanned and provided to the investigator on CD upon request.
5) Standard photography, digital images provided on CD.
6) Stereo pairs on 200nm sections (specimen permitting)

Standard supplies (including some fixative) are provided.

Standard routine processing includes either tissue or cell cultures either as monolayers, on membranes or as pellets and special orientation. The facility has the capability to do negative staining and rotary shadowing.

These procedures are provided as a full service. If an investigator has sufficient knowledge and ability for use of the equipment then the center allows for independent work at a lower cost, see fee schedule. Training can be provided.

Immunocytochemistry for TEM (full sevice only):

1) Standard routine processing of specimens with fixation and embedding, in either Unicryl or LR Gold
2) Standard routine thick and thin sectioning for post-embedding immunostaining
3) Immunostaining*
4) Viewing and Photography on TEM

*Primary antibody provided by the investigator, EM Center provides the secondary, can do pre-embedding immunostaining if desired.

Cryo Fixation/Processing and Sectioning (full service only):

1) High pressure freezing (HPF) of tissue specimens or cell cultures
2) Processing of HPF specimens through embedding using automated freeze substitution 3) Processing of specimens for cryo sectioning
4) Standard routine thick and thin sectioning of embedded specimens
5) Thick and Thin Cryo sectioning of specimens
6) Immunostaining*
7) Viewing and Photography on TEM

*Primary antibody provided by the investigator, EM Center provides the secondary, can do pre-embedding immunostaining if desired

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM):

1) Standard routine processing of specimens with fixation, critical Point or chemical drying and mounting.
2) Viewing and photography on the SEM.
3) Negatives scanned and images provided to the investigator on a CD. A Polaroid picture is available for the investigator with each picture taken on the scope.

Standard supplies (including some fixative) are provided.

Standard routine processing includes either tissue or cell cultures either as monolayers.

These procedures are provided as full service only.

Submitting Material:

Prospective users of the EM Center can make an inquiry about future projects, either by email, phone or in person. The EM Center’s fee schedule is located on our web site. We encourage clients to check it out and set up a time to discuss the project in person with the EM Center prior to providing specimens. We ask that you come prepared with pertinent information relating to your particular project. At that time a request for specimen submission, including an estimate of costs for the project can be completed so clients and the EM Center personnel are thoroughly familiar with the proposed project.

This center’s primary goal is to generate high quality data using electron microscopy. Specimen quality is essential to this process, without properly fixed and prepared specimens it is impossible to generate good and interpretable images. It is this center’s policy to review all protocols for incoming specimens and we reserve the right to either reject specimens and/or suggest necessary changes to aid in obtaining adequate and quality results.

Data Analysis and Transfer:

All data and results belong to the customer. Neither will be shared outside this center without the researcher’s consent.

Confidentiality:

All data and results generated can only be accessed by the researcher, the EM Center technical staff and director.

Conflict Resolution:

The EM Center Director will discuss all issues with the investigator to help resolve the problem. If the issue cannot be resolved it will be submitted to the EM Center’s advisory committee.

Cost Recovery:

The fee schedule was set up to offset the substantial cost of maintaining this center without making our services cost prohibitive. Any changes in the service requested by the client may result in additional costs above the estimate provided at the initial review of the proposed project and estimate.

An accession number is given to all incoming projects (specimens). Unless discussed and an arrangement made beforehand, all projects are on a first-come first-serve basis. IU projects have priority over externally submitted projects.

Publication/Authorship Policy: