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Electron Microscopy Unit
Welcome to the Electron Microscope (EM) Unit of Institute Medical Research (IMR), Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia .
In the hub of the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur , IMR is the centre of biomedical research in Malaysia . With its history of more than a century of research on tropical diseases, IMR now looks forward to the future of instrumentation concurrently with the development of research.
In view of the increasing needs of researchers in IMR and other R & D institutes, the EM Unit now offers an outstanding array of nanostructural analysis equipment. The Unit is a major contributor to the IMR's research output and plays a vital role in supporting the microscopy analysis and plays a wider community role through diagnostic and training in various biomedical fields.
Dec 1980
The EM Unit was established in the Department of Parasitology.
Mar 1981
The EM Unit received two electron microscopes i.e. the Hitachi SEM S430 & the Hitachi TEM H300. However, due to insufficient funding & high repair costs, the two electron microscopes were not functional.
Jan 2001
Under the New Government Policy, the application for the purchase of new electron microscopes was approved.
Jan 2002
The arrival of two new electron microsopes i,e, the Phillips FEI XL30 ESEM & the Phillips FEI Tecnai G 2
Jan 2002
The EM Unit was transfered to the care of the Medical Resources Research Centre.
Jan 2003
Setting up and the commissioning of the new ultramicrotome Leica UCT
Jul 2003
The EM Unit received the HIROX Digital Microscope.
To be recognized by the scientific community as the leading electron microscope center for biomedical research
To promote and to conduct quality electron microscopy services towards excellence in research
• To provide specific diagnostic service in the field of electron microscopy.
• To provide supportive electron microscopy services to compliment research activities in IMR
• To provide exposure and experience to officers and technical staff in the handling of high-end equipment as a supportive source in their research
• To assist in the efforts to improve and to strengthen research activity abilities through the electron microscopy services with other R & D institutes which collaborate with IMR
The EM Unit played a major role in the diagnosis of several outbreaks which affected the nation and the region. From March to June 2003, the EM Unit provided supportive services to the Department of Virology in the diagnosis of the SARS virus in Malaysia . In April 2004, the EM Unit was also involved in the diagnosis of the outbreak in Cameron Highland , Malaysia , a collaborative effort with the Department of Virology.
Other than that, the EM Unit is also actively involved in research activities of Masters and PhD. students of UKM & UM.
The EM Unit also provides diagnostic services to major hospital in Kuala Lumpur such as the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital .
The EM Unit conducts courses on electron microscopy, specimen preparation and microanalysis. For more information about short training courses, kindly contact em@imr.gov.my or santhana@imr.gov.my
SERVICES AND FACILITIES AVALABLE
The Electron Micscope Unit boasts the country's most comprehensive array of specimen preparation and imaging and analysis equipment. While the unit prides itself on its state-of-the-art instruments it supports a full range of conventional instruments for electron imaging.
As well as its own resources, the Electron Micscope Unit draws upon the larger knowledge base from Institute Medical Research where it is based.
- Tecnai G2 Transmission Electron Microscope
The Tecnai instruments are the first TEMs to have complete digital control with all peripherals fully embedded. The new system incorporates state-of-the-art electron optics, an advanced electron gun, and a completely new control for the Compustage. Running under the Windows NT® operating system, the system architecture combines robustness, security, flexibility and simplicity, resulting in a highly reliable instrument as equally suited to demanding scientific research as to high-productivity industrial applications
• Tungsten or LaB 6 emitter
• High voltage range 20-120kV or continuously variable
• Point resolution: 0.34 nm
• Line resolution: 0.2nm
• Cs objective: 2mm
• Cc objective: 2mm
• Focal length: 2.7mm
• Minimum focus step: 3nm
• Magnification: 40x – 660kx
- XL30 ESEM Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope
The XL30 ESEM is a high performance, variable pressure, scanning electron microscope with a resolution of 5nm at 30kV. It can be used to examine uncoated, non-conductive specimens, and with a Peltier stage, can be used with wet specimens. It will image specimens in a variety of atmospheres, such as water vapor, air, argon, nitrogen and helium.
The microscope combines high vacuum, low vacuum and gaseous environments to support a variety of applications. The instrument allows for examination of non-conducting, contaminated, hydrated and even living samples without significant sample preparation, in addition to those samples that have always been viewable under conventional scanning electron microscopes. It allows for user selection of accelerating voltage, magnification, gas type, gas pressure and detector type. This flexibility promotes cross-disciplinary research for all who utilize the ESEM. The system includes the following capabilities:
• Resolution of 3.5nm in any environmental mode
• Magnification range of 7x to 100,000 times
• Accelerating voltage of up to 30kV
• Tungsten gun electron source with computer-optimized variable bias and filament distance
• Automated focusing and astigmatism correction
• Chamber pressures up to 20 torr
• Secondary electron detectors capable of operating under any of the system environments
• Operator control of primary operating parameters with computer compensation for secondary parameters
• 4-axis motorized stage
• Access ports for installing analytical installments and substages
• Pentium PC for microscopic control and visualization
• The system also includes a Peltier cooling stage for moist samples and a heating stage with a maximum temperature of 1000 o C.
- Hirox Digital video microscope
See clear bright images in colour on video monitor. The lighting system within lenses gives you a wealth of information as you can vary the lighting angle to fully distinguish surface features.
- LYNX Automated Tissue Processor
For automated tissue processing features for added convenience, versatility, protection of specimens, and cost savings.
- Baltec Sputter Coater
Available for gold-coating non-conductive samples. Gold-coating reduces the charging effects of the primary ion beam.
- Baltec Critical Point Dryer
Critical Point Drying is so named as it includes, as part of its process, the occurrence known as the continuity of state for which there is no apparent difference between the liquid and gas state of a medium, the surface tension between this interface reducing to zero. This occurs at a specific temperature and pressure with resulting density and it is known as the critical point. This condition of zero surface tension can be used to dry biological specimens without the damaging effects of surface tension.
Mite
Red Blood Cells
Butterfly Head
Red Blood Cells
Labium of Housefly
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROGRAPHS
Influenza Virus
Kidney Biopsy
E. Coli
SARS Virus
White Blood Cells
Application Form for Electron Microscopy Services
