Use of a High End Microscope for Insight into Proteins

Monash University researchers will be afforded better insights into the structure and function of proteins thanks to two new transmission electron microscopes (TEMs), according to Phys.org. It is anticipated that these microscopes will support breakthroughs in the treatment of conditions including heart disease and cancer.

In early 2014, the two TEMs will be installed at Monash’s new Clive and Vera Ramaciotti Centre for Structural Cryo Electron Microscopy. This will be the first centre in Victoria focused on Cryo-EM and will involve samples being studied at temperatures colder than -150 degrees Celsius. The consideration of temperature is vitally important as it will make it possible for samples to be observed within their natural environment.

Monash University Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Professor James Whisstock affirms that Cryo-EM is vitally important as researchers try to comprehend how highly complex biological systems operate, even at the smallest scale.

Professor Whisstock believes that the flexible and powerful TEMs will provide Australian scientists with greater capability to study proteins that have been difficult to characterise in detail.