Institution: Institute of Applied Science and Intelligent Systems - Unit of Naples (ISASI-Na)
Departement: Physical sciences and technologies of matter
Typology: Academic collaboration, Facility, Patent, Research field/topic, Skill, Software
Location: Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Pietro Castellino 111-80131 Napoli, Edificio 17, EYE Lab
Contacts:
- Emanuela Esposito (emanuela.esposito@na.isasi.cnr.it)
- Gennaro Sanità (gennaro.sanita@na.isasi.cnr.it)
Description:
The Cryo Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM) laboratory at ISASI Naples (EYELAB) offers advanced facilities and expertise for identifying, visualizing, and characterizing biological macromolecules in their native states. It supports a comprehensive approach to studying the structure and function of proteins, nucleic acids, and other macromolecules, as well as their interactions within cells and tissues. The laboratory offers high-resolution structural analysis through Single Particle Analysis (SPA) and Electron Tomography (ET). SPA reveals the 3D structures of proteins, enzymes, and complexes in their hydrated states, providing unprecedented detail on their architecture and function. ET enables 3D visualization of cellular structures, and tissues, shedding light on intricate cellular architecture and macromolecular interactions. A critical part of the workflow is sample vitrification, achieved using the plunge-freezing technique. This preserves biological samples in a glass-like state, maintaining their native structure without the need for staining or chemical fixation. The laboratory also utilizes Focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB-SEM) for precise lamella preparation. This technology thins vitrified samples into ultra-thin lamellae for cryo-TEM analysis, enabling detailed observation at the nanoscale. FIB-SEM also allows for high-resolution imaging and 3D reconstructions of complex samples. The laboratory's state-of-the-art equipment includes: • Thermo Scientific Glacios 200kV cryo-TEM with a Falcon 4 camera/detector and Selectris X imaging filters for high-resolution SPA and ET studies. • Thermo Scientific Aquilos 2 dual-beam cryo-microscope, combining SEM and FIB for morphological investigations and lamella preparation at cryogenic temperatures. • Thermo Scientific Vitrobot, which ensures precise vitrification of biological samples. These advanced tools enable the Cryo-EM laboratory to lead in structural biology, offering insights into the detailed organization of macromolecules and their cellular interactions. Open to public and private institutions, it serves as a hub for groundbreaking research, driving discoveries in biochemistry, molecular biology, and biophysics.
Team:
- Emanuela Esposito (emanuela.esposito@na.isasi.cnr.it)
- Gennaro Sanità (gennaro.sanita@na.isasi.cnr.it)
- Federica Donadio (federica.donadio@na.isasi.cnr.it)
- Domenico Passaro (domenico.passaro@na.isasi.cnr.it)
- Ivo Rendina (ivo.rendina@na.isasi.cnr.it)
https://www.isasi.cnr.it/en/scientific-instrumentation/eye-lab-en/
EYE Lab images