The technology
The NeCEN microscopes are based on the innovative Titan platform. They will be under continuous development to keep it at a world wide state-of-the-art level. NeCEN offers two main aspects of cryo-transmission electron microscopy. One of the microscopes is optimized for visualizing cellular structures in 3D with nanometer precision (tomography). The other microscope is equipped for analyzing single particles with even more detail (near-atomic resolution has been reached).
About cryo-TEM
Cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) allows scientists to observe proteins and organelles in a near native state. The samples are fixed by rapid freezing and do not have to be stained. In order to prevent radiation damage, pictures are taken at a very low dose. The resulting images contain lots of noise and very low contrast, but nevertheless give new detailed information on cellular and molecular structures. Electron microscopes can generate much more detail than light microscopes, because an electron beam has a much shorter wavelength than light.
