Electron Microscopy Course

NJDS-EMS offers a course in the theory, fundamental operating principles, and specimen preparation techniques of the Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM). The course is available to graduate students (Master and PhD students) is co-taught by and Dr. Daniel H Fine and Dr. Kabilan Velliyagounder. For others who might be interested, please contact us at velliyka@umdnj.edu.

Week 1, through 2
Introduction to Light Microscopy (LM), theory and practice, modes of operation, types of information obtainable, specimen preparation, specimen choice, limitations, fixation, stabilization, dehydration and observation will be covered.

Week 3, through 4
Specialized techniques in Fluorescence Microscopy will be discussed

Week 5, through 6
Introduction to Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), theory and practice, modes of operation, types of information obtainable will be discussed. In addition, specimen preparation, specimen choice, limitations, fixation, stabilization, dehydration, freezing & freeze-drying, critical point procedure, alternative preparation procedures, mounting, sputter coating, evaporative coating, storage and SEM imaging will be included.

Week 7, through 12
Introduction to Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and its application in biology, modes of operation, and types of information obtainable, specimen preparation 1, fixation, dehydration, and staining will be covered. In addition, specimen preparation 2, which will include embedding, sectioning, staining and operation of the TEM, will be demonstrated.

Week 13 through 15
Introduction to Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM), theory and practice will be covered. Means of sample preparation, slide preparation, staining and DNA/RNA/Protein Extraction Techniques will be discussed.

Week 16-Practical exam
For further information, please go to the UMDNJ GSBS website.