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MCB 481C
(Scanning Electron Microscopy)
Variable unit course: 1-3 units
There is no midterm; in lieu of a final exam, students will
prepare a project notebook (i.e., lab report) in standard format:
Title, Statement of Purpose, Introduction, Materials and Methods,
Results (with images), Discussion/Conclusions, References.
Keyword literature searches through Melvyl/Medline are
very useful, e.g., SEM and [keyword].
Training in SEM techniques is TBA and is usually completed
before the end of the semester. Plan 3-hour blocks of EM lab time
for each technique/preparatory step.
Students are required to have a project in mind and a
funding source available to pay incidental scope and materials costs
after the initial training sequence. Often your funding source
(professor/post-doc) will also have an idea for a short project. As
part of your work, you'll be expected to do a journal search on your
project of interest and find 2-3 references to electron microscopy done
on your material, or a related one.
1 unit= Sample preparation:
chemical fixation
dehydration
critical point drying
specimen mounting
conductive coating
1 unit= Microscope operation:
filament saturation
specimen stage manipulation
image optimization
image recording (Polaroid)
1 unit= Digital image acquisition
recording
filtering
storage
retrieval
laser/thermal printout
Suggested reading:
J.J. Bozzola & L.D. Russell, Electron Microscopy, Principles
and Techniques for Biologists, 2nd ed. (Bioscience QH212.E4.B69 1999)
Safety - p. 618-637
Fixation - p. 19-34
SEM sample preparation - p. 48-70
SEM instrumentation - p. 202-238
Digital Imaging - p. 415-441
or...
M.A. Hayat, Principles and Techniques of Scanning Electron
Microscopy, Biological Applications, vol. 7
M.A. Hayat, Principles and Techniques of Transmission Electron
Microscopy vol. 3, chapter 7 on critical point drying
Items provided by the lab:
Critical point dryer runs 2
Sputter coater runs 2
Stubs 10
Plastic box for stubs 1
Carbon dots (if needed) 10
Polaroid film 1 box
SEM sessions (2 hours each) 3
SEM + computer (2 hours) 1
Anything more than this must be paid for by the students P.I.
Sample reports from students:
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