Clinical Pathology | Electron Microscopy | EPL Archives

Electron Microscopy

In 1995, EPL formed a strategic alliance with the Laboratory for Advanced Electron and Light Optical Methods (LAELOM) at the College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University.  This alliance has proven to be an unbeatable combination of technical and professional expertise. Our enhanced services include:

• Toxicologic Pathology
• Necropsy
• Scanning Electron Microscopy
• Transmission Electron Microscopy
• Morphometric Analysis
• Digital Imaging
• Photomicroscopy
• Study Monitoring and Data Auditing
• Quality Assurance
• SOP Preparation

The LAELOM, a fully GLP compliant laboratory, consists of a 1,535 square foot facility, equipped with an array of transmission and scanning electron microscopes, as well as photomicroscopes and peripherals.

• JEOL JSM-35 CF Scanning Electron Microscope
• FEI/Philips EM208S Transmission Electron Microscope
• Wild M400 Photomacroscope
• Olympus Vanox AH-3 Photomicroscope Equipped with a SPOT RT Slider cooled-CCD Digital Camera
• ImagePro Plus for Morphometric Analysis
• PAX-IT Digital Imaging Software

In addition to all the necessary support equipment for preparing samples for electron microscopy, the LAELOM has a totally equipped darkroom set up for production of black-and-white prints, copy negatives, 2x2 black-and-white slides, and posters.  A cryostat is also available for producing frozen sections for light microscopy.  Also available is a state-of-the-art Leica Ultracut UCT ultramicrotome with a Leica EM FCS attachment designed for cutting ultrathin frozen sections for immunolabeling.

People

The LAELOM provides extensive consultation services to help investigators determine appropriate methods to approach their particular problems.

Dr. Michael Dykstra, the LAELOM Director, has over 30 years of experience in ultrastructural research, as well as consultation in technical methods, budgeting, SOP preparation and equipment selection.  Dr. Dykstra has worked with the pharmaceutical industry for over 16 years.

The staff of the laboratory consists of biologists who have experience with molecular biology, morphometry, electron microscopy and photography.

Technical Expertise

The LAELOM has technical expertise working with:

• Macromolecules (DNA, proteins)
• Viruses
• Bacteria (free-living and in biofilms)
• Fungi
• Protozoans
• Cell Cultures
• Metazoan Tissues (insects, crustaceans, mammals, reptiles, birds, fish, etc.)
• Textile Polymers
• Plastic Films from electrical storage cells
• Artificial Joint Materials, Artificial Cell Matrices
• Immunolabeling of ultrathin frozen and plastic-embedded sections

The LAELOM staff is available for assistance in the selection of fixation protocols, appropriate molecular probes (lectins, immunolabels, cytochemistry), and can provide instruction or advice concerning proper preparation of biological samples for evaluation.

Educational Opportunities

The LAELOM provides training on available equipment to those familiar with EM techniques and also offers a one-semester electron microscopy course (CBS-732) in the spring to introduce novices to all the techniques utilizing TEM and SEM. 

Individual training in photomicroscopy, morphometry and digitized imaging is available.

EPL, Inc.
PO Box 474, Herndon, VA 2-0172-0474

Tel: 703.471.7060
Fax: 703.471.8447
Contact: info@epl-inc.com