120kV Transmission Electron Microscope

About This Grant

Twenty-four NIH-funded investigators studying a wide range of biomedical research topics at the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB) are requesting funds for a transmission electron microscope (TEM), the Talos L120C G2 (Thermo Fisher Scientific). UMB has a long history of TEM use conducted at the Electron Microscopy Core Imaging Facility (EMCIF), and the decommissioning of the current TEM has drastically impeded the ongoing research projects. This TEM will replace an 20-year-old Thermo Tecnai T12, a 120 kV tungsten filament instrument, whose reliability and stability were decreasing when we lost the capability to capture images. Through demonstrations of microscopes from several vendors as well as Director and user experiences, the Thermo Talos L120C G2 is the ideal replacement research microscope with its high-contrast, high-resolution optics for biological samples. Its lanthanum hexaboride crystal electron source and Ceta 16M CMOS and Smart digital camera will produce bright, well-contrasted images for all our users. Its user-friendly software interface with features such as motorized stage, alignment recall, automated apertures, and rapid specimen exchange make this a good fit for a core facility. The remote operation features are ideal for training users and providing fee-for-service to distant users. The Talos L120C will be placed in the current TEM room, which is a pre-existing, well-designed space with convenient access to the main Core lab and staff. It will be administered by the EMCIF which is part of the Center for Innovative Biomedical Resources (CIBR) which provides resources to UMB researchers. Our staff will provide training in sample preparation and in operation of the new TEM. EMCIF is jointly supported by the School of Dentistry and the School of Medicine. We support research across the entire UMB campus as well as the University of Maryland System. The new TEM will be placed into the existing recharge system available to users through an iLab software interface available through the web and as a smart phone app. The new TEM will support continued progress of NIH-funded research projects of UMB scientists that are relevant to our mission of improving the human condition and serve the public good of Maryland. The EMCIF has a strong record of collaboration with researchers providing electron microscopy results for presentations, publications and grant applications. Strong institutional support provides for Director and staff salaries, space, instrument service/maintenance, administrative services and other EMCIF operating costs. If funded, the Talos L120C will be the primary TEM for UMB faculty research, and it will expand our capacity for biomedical research at UMB and at regional institutions. The impact will extend beyond the cancer, blood, infectious disease, bone development and other research projects listed in this proposal. The EMCIF’s mission is to provide state-of-the-art instrumentation and training to researchers, trainees, graduate students and staff. We aim to train the next generation of scientists to appreciate and interpret electron micrographs.