Microscopy Conference 2023

Structural analyses of the brown algae Ectocarpus

LS 3: Imaging of large volumes and plastic section tomography

Throughout the last two decades different volume scanning electron microscopy (vEM) methods have gained more importance in the life sciences allowing new questions to be answered for samples from cells to organisms and tissues. New developments for hardware and software for transmission as well as scanning electron microscopy have paved the road to new exciting research topics to be addressed. This session will illustrate the diversity of methods and applications of the current volume SEM modalities, namely array tomography (AT), serial block face SEM (SBEM) and focused ion beam SEM (FIB-SEM), as well as plastic tomography focusing on higher resolution. Besides different research topics, the challenges linked to the sample preparation, imaging and data analysis will be covered.  

Imaging of large volumes and plastic section tomography

Abstract talk

LS 4: Image analysis of large data sets

State of the art of volume imaging and CLEM of organoids

Workshop 2: Tricks and pitfalls for FIB sample preparation in materials and life sciences

Focused ion beam (FIB) technique combined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) enabling nm-precise sample preparation for a broad range of applications in semiconductor industry, material- and life science.  One major application is the preparation of cross sectional and planar samples for electron microscopy analysis. Recent developments of inducted plasma ion sources and combined laser ablation provide increased throughput over conventional Ga-FIB for large area milling.   
 In life sciences, the use of combined  FIB / SEM systems opened new applications for researchers to analyse cellular and multi-cellular systems by slice and view volume imaging and to produce thin cellular lamellae suitable for high-resolution in situ transmission electron tomography. The further development of correlative light and electron microscopy approaches are now opening new avenues for the precise targeting and imaging of unperturbed native environments.
This session welcomes contributions from recent advances in sample preparation and the development and implementation of new hardware and software solutions for FIB milling approaches in material and life sciences, including automated lamella preparation, volume imaging, correlative workflows, and lift out approaches both at room and cryogenic temperature.


Tricks and pitfalls for FIB sample preparation in materials and life sciences

LS 5: Correlative and multimodal microscopy

Paolo Ronchi

Further involvements