EMU: Acquisition of equipment to update and expand the research support services provided by the FMRP-USP Multi-User Electron Microscopy Laboratory.

• Grant number: 23/17394-3
• Support Opportunities: Research Infrastructure Program - Small Medium Sized
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Cytology and Cell Biology
• Principal Investigator: Luis Lamberti Pinto da Silva
• Grantee: Luis Lamberti Pinto da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Carlos Henrique Miranda ; Éder José Guidelli ; Germán Gustavo Sgro ; José Freire da Silva Neto ; Katiuchia Uzzun Sales ; Mariana Kiomy Osako ; Rafael Simone Saia ; Simone de Pádua Teixeira

Abstract

Electron microscopy (EM) is a crucial tool in basic and clinical studies in biomedicine, allowing the detailed visualization of cellular and molecular structures at nanometric scales. The evolution of the technique includes cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM), which preserves samples in their native state, enabling 3D electron microscopy, which reconstructs three-dimensional structures. 3D EM offers a more complete understanding of cellular architecture, while Cryo-EM has significant implications in clinical studies by preserving samples without morphological distortions, providing molecular insights for diagnosis and personalized therapeutics. These advanced techniques not only offer unparalleled insight into biological structures, but also play a crucial role in elucidating molecular mechanisms underlying physiological and pathological conditions, thereby shaping the future of biomedical research and practice. Considering this scenario, FMRP-USP has formalized and maintained, since 2009, the Multi-User Electron Microscopy Laboratory (LMME), which evolved from the Electron Microscopy Laboratory, pioneeringly created in 1968, with the aim of centralizing equipment for electron microscopy and allow their usage in a multi-user fashion. Since then, LMME has optimized specialized material and human resources to develop efficient research protocols and provide advice and training to researchers who use this infrastructure. LMME annually provides services to more than 50 research projects from institutions on the USP campus in Ribeirão Preto, universities in other cities of São Paulo and other states, as well as public and private companies. Recently, FMRP was awarded a new Transmission Electron Microscope (MET), the JEOL 1400 Flash, through the EMU FAPESP 2022 call. This MET, currently in the acquisition process, will be available to LMME users, replacing the existing MET (manufactured in 1982). This update will allow improvements in image quality and the implementation of new techniques, such as Cryo-EM 3D electron tomography and correlative microscopy. Therefore, this proposal aims to acquire sample preparation equipment that will: 1) enable continuity and expand the transmission and scanning electron microscopy service provided by LMME, 2) create and support the Cryo-EM service at LMME. (AU)