EMU científico: acquisition of a 3D scanning microscope for the electronic microscopy Center of UNIFESP to obtain high resolution images of cells and tissues and three-dimensional reconstruction

• Grant number: 22/11528-5
• Support Opportunities: Research Infrastructure Program - Scientific
• Start date: August 01, 2023
• End date: July 31, 2030
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Cytology and Cell Biology
• Principal Investigator: Sergio Schenkman
• Grantee: Sergio Schenkman
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Anderson Messias Rodrigues ; Aparecida Sadae Tanaka ; Hugo Pequeno Monteiro ; Maria Luiza Vilela Oliva ; Ricardo Sobhie Diaz ; Roberto Rudge de Moraes Barros ; Tânia Aparecida Tardelli Gomes do Amaral

Abstract

This project is for the acquisition of a scanning electron microscopy system with 3D reconstruction system. This system is unique in Latin America and allows analyzing different types of biological specimens (tissues and cells) and doing three-dimensional reconstructions, since it has a built-in ultramicrotome. It will also continue to scan conventional high resolution (up to 2 nm), which allows us to see even microvesicles. It will be implemented in the Center for Electron Microscopy (CEME) of the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), already structured as a facility, and which has as current coordinator Prof. Rita Sinigaglia, two higher level technicians and a secretary who has been supporting several researchers inside and outside Unifesp. In addition to conducting its own studies CEME collaborates with several researchers. CEME has the ability to perform and receive for the provided services, characteristics of an Academic Facility. The requested equipment is a new product made available by several companies and is characterized by having the ability to perform serial cuts (15 nm deep) and obtain perfectly aligned images of a fixed block containing a biological sample. The images are produced by a technology that allows to achieve qualities comparable to transmission microscopes because it uses a field emission source (FE) that generates a beam of electrons focused on the specimens by an objective, whit a low voltage and magnetic and electrostatic lenses capable of precisely defining the analyzed field in a small depth. This process, associated with image reconstruction allows to have a view of different cells or tissues at the 3D level. This differs from transmission microscopy tomography systems because it can embody a much larger region with similar accuracy. This system will enable the various groups of associated and collaborators with obtaining novel information. Those who work with tissues will be able to compare various experimental conditions. Groups that use 2D, 3D culture systems or experiment with mini-organs will have the possibility to obtain high-resolution ultrastructural information. Finally, the studies will allow to obtain information from isolated cells, microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and protozoa, as well as material released by these cells in the form of microvesicles. All this information will have a highly significant impact on the associated projects and several employees. The equipment will complement the ones available at the National Center of Biostructure and Bioimaging from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, to whom we all establish a partnership. (AU)