Electron Microscopy
Electron Imaging Center for Nanomachines
What is Electron Microscopy?
Electron microscopy is a powerful extension of optical techniques into the sub-optical wavelength sized world. Using electrons accelerated to relativistic speeds, these microscopes can image individual atoms. Transmission electron microscopy requires a thin sample, about a micron or less, and thinner is better. It uses a variety of techniques to image and characterize samples. For example:
- High resolution imaging can resolve individual atoms.
- Cryo-EM can reveal structures and molecular interactions of biological complexes.
- STEM imaging can differentiate atom types.
- X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) can quantify elemental composition.
- Tomography can resolve the 3D structure of materials and biological complexes.
How can electron microscopy facilitate your research project?
EICN can assist you in achieving success in your research by providing state-of-the-art electron microscopy instruments and assisted usage services. Highly experienced staff provides necessary training and can help users address complex electron imaging needs. EICN offers advanced electron imaging techniques for visualizing materials, nanomachines, and cellular structures at atomic or nanometer scales in 2D and 3D. In addition, our latest integrated iCorr technology enables a streamlined approach to correlative microscopy to perform both fluorescence light and electron microscopy for biological research.
Services available:
- Instrument Training
- Self Usage
- Assisted Usage
- Data Processing
Highly experienced staff provide the necessary training and can help users address any of their complex electron imaging needs. For sample preparation and assisted usage, please email to EICNhelp@cnsi.ucla.edu for assistance.
We use a variety of techniques to image and characterize samples
- High resolution imaging can resolve individual atoms
- Cryo-EM can reveal structures and molecular interactions of biological complexes
- X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) can quantify elemental composition
- Tomography can resolve the 3D structure of materials and biological tissues
- Correlative fluorescence and electron microscopy can characterize tissue and cellular samples in 3D
- SEM can visualize surface features up to 1 nm resolution
West/Midwest Consortium 
The West/Midwest Consortium (WMC) for High-Resolution Cryo Electron Microscopy offers exclusive access to the Electron Imaging Center for Nanomachines (EICN) at UCLA. By providing immediate access to direct electron counting and other cutting-edge technologies to promote the field of cryoEM and advance translational research.
Quick Links:
-
- Core Lab Management System – Sign up for equipment here.
- Becoming a User – New to EICN? Read this first.
Questions or comments? Please email us at EICNhelp@cnsi.ucla.edu
CENTER HIGHLIGHTS
- Leader in the field of cryoEM
- State-of-the-art electron imaging tools
- Cutting-edge technology of cryoEM reconstruction
- Research focus: virus structures and infection processes; important sub-cellular complexes; engineered nanostructures and devices
October 31, 2022 | Electrons, Cameras, Action!
The California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA has changed or added five cameras connected to its suite of six transmission electron microscopes. Taken together, the upgrades will dramatically reduce noise in imaging while increasing efficiency and offering options to meet the distinct needs of different types of investigations. These instruments are available to users from UCLA and beyond at the EICN.
October 31, 2022 | Electrons, Cameras, Action!
The California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA has changed or added five cameras connected to its suite of six transmission electron microscopes. Taken together, the upgrades will dramatically reduce noise in imaging while increasing efficiency and offering options to meet the distinct needs of different types of investigations. These instruments are available to users from UCLA and beyond at the EICN.
September 13, 2022 | ‘Glass bubble’ nanocarrier boosts effects of combination therapy for pancreatic cancer
Over the past 30 years, progress in early detection and treatment of cancer has helped reduce the overall death rate by more than 30%. Pancreatic cancer, however, has remained difficult to treat. Only 1 in 9 people survive five years after diagnosis, in part because...
February 7, 2022 | Sweating the small stuff: Smartwatch developed at UCLA measures key stress hormone
Now, a UCLA research team has developed a device that could be a major step forward: a smartwatch that assesses cortisol levels found in sweat — accurately, noninvasively and in real time. Described in a study published in Science Advances, the technology could offer wearers the ability to read and react to an essential biochemical indicator of stress.
June 24, 2021 | Next-gen electron source boosts resolution for atomic imaging
UCLA investigators can now reap the benefits of increased brightness and sharpness with the FEI Titan extreme field emission gun (X-FEG), a next-generation instrument that holds the promise for higher resolution, all without making the optical system more...
December 7, 2020 | New electron-detecting camera speeds up bio-imaging
A recent addition to instrumentation at the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA offers researchers an enhanced atomic-level view of frozen biological samples, with improvements in both detail and speed compared to the previous generation of technology. ...
August 12, 2020 | Study provides insights into how Zika virus suppresses the host immune system
A research team led by scientists at the University of California, Riverside and UCLA senior author Hong Zhou, has outlined how the Zika virus, which constituted an epidemic threat in 2016, suppresses the immune system of its host.Study provides insights into how Zika...
April 15, 2020 | Researchers reveal the mechanisms behind a natural bacteria killer
Scientists are one step closer to adapting the bacteria-killing power of a naturally occurring nanomachine, a tiny particle that performs a mechanical action.April 15, 2020 | Researchers reveal the mechanisms behind a natural bacteria killer Findings by UCLA-led team...
June 13, 2019 | Scientists reveal DNA packaging mechanism of HSV-1, the virus that causes cold sores
A new technique developed by researchers from the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA has allowed them to become the first scientists to clearly see the intricate machinery responsible for compressing DNA into the small interior shell, or capsid, of herpes...
October 22, 2018 | Direct electron detection and x-ray analysis bring new possibilities for materials characterization in the EICN
Housed in the CNSI Electron Imaging Center for NanoMachines (EICN), the FEI Titan 80-300 scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM), is an advanced electron microscope capable of atomic-level imaging and analysis on a wide range of materials and nanostructures....
April 13, 2018 | UCLA study produces clearest images to date of HSV-1, the virus that causes cold sores
UCLA researchers have produced the clearest 3-D images to date of the virus that causes cold sores, herpes simplex virus type 1, or HSV-1. The images enabled them to map the virus’ structure and offered new insights into how HSV-1 works. UCLA study produces clearest...