Introduction to Scanning Electron Microscopy (Life Sciences)

CLEM image of a grey cell with small green fluorescent molecules on it. It is a combination of an SEM image and a confocal image

By the end of this course participants are expected to be able to understand:

  • how an SEM works
  • how to prepare samples for various applications
  • how to optimise SEM for biological imaging, and
  • identify the various components making up an SEM.

Specific topics covered

  • How does the SEM work
  • Instrument components
  • Signals in the SEM
  • Aberrations
  • Depth of Field
  • Optimising SEM Conditions
    • Image Resolution
    • Low Voltage SEM
  • Sample preparation for biological material including possible artefacts
  • Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy (CLEM)

Scanning Electron Microscopes and Electron Microprobe

Biological applications of Scanning Electron Microscopy

Maximum number of students: 6