Infrastructural Center Biomedical Center for Microscopy (BMCM)

Units that make up BMCM: Institute of Cell Biology (MF), Institute of Biophysics (MF), Institute of microbiology and immunology (MF), Institute of Pathology (MF)

Leader: prof. dr. Peter Veranič (peter.veranic@mf.uni-lj.si)

 

The basic methods for studying biological processes at the cellular level include light and electron microscopy, which enable the determination of the location where these processes take place. In recent years, microscopy methods have been developing very rapidly, thus offering new possibilities for studying living cells and ensuring the tracking of individual molecules at the cellular level or the precise determination of the location of these molecules in intracellular structures. New methods require top-notch technical and professionally trained personnel and high-quality and well-maintained equipment. The main purpose of the Biomedical Microscopy Center is to connect research units that successfully implement microscopy methods on biological/medical materials, which offer this knowledge and equipment to visiting researchers. The main equipment of the Biomedical Microscopy Center includes electron and light microscopes together with instruments for implementing modern methods of immunolabeling of molecules in cells and tissues for light and electron microscopy, performing negative contrasting, correlative microscopy, FRIL methods and electron tomography.

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Classical light and fluorescence microscopy are indispensable methods in any molecular and cell biology research work and are often also necessary in diagnostics. Its upgrades, confocal microscopy and TIRF microscopy, enable optical sectioning of fluorescently labeled samples and quantitative analysis in cell biology and biophysics. The combination of light and electron microscopy, so-called correlative microscopy, combines the advantages of light and electron microscopy, and enables the study of dynamic processes in living cells and a resolution close to 1 nm. Culturing cells in vitro and producing nanoparticles open up excellent opportunities for our Biomedical Microscopy Center to conduct the most current research in the field of targeted introduction of medical substances into cancer and pathogen-infected cells. An additional advantage is the possibility of manipulating cells with optical tweezers and microfluidic systems. The Biomedical Microscopy Center ensures interdisciplinarity, which is key to successful work and optimal use of equipment and method  development.