Life Sciences Seminar: Electron Microscopy: Powering Modern Biomedical Discovery
Life Sciences Seminar
Electron Microscopy: Powering Modern Biomedical Discovery
Dr. Ru-ching Hsia
Principle Scientist
Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Fredrick National Lab for Cancer Research
Abstract:
Electron microscopy (EM) emerged in the 1930s and quickly became a transformative tool for biological research. From the 1930s through the 1960s, as commercial electron microscopes became widely available, biological EM played a central role in shaping our foundational understanding of cell biology.
Over the past two decades, advances in electron optics and the development of highly sensitive detectors have dramatically extended the achievable resolution of modern electron microscopes, pushing imaging capabilities to the atomic scale. In parallel, the advent of cryo-electron microscopy and cryogenic sample preparation techniques has enabled researchers to study cells and tissues in their native, hydrated states—conditions that most closely reflect the living system.
As a result, the EM field has evolved far beyond the descriptive analysis of ultrastructure. Today, EM is a critical tool in translational and biomedical research, contributing to areas such as drug and vaccine design, therapeutic development, disease diagnosis, and the elucidation of fundamental molecular mechanisms underlying cellular function. EM has also driven major advances in nanomedicine, vaccine development, and tissue engineering.
This presentation will highlight the diverse applications of modern EM techniques and instrumentation in contemporary biomedical research, illustrating how continued innovation in EM continues to expand our understanding of biology and medicine.
Intended Audience:
Beginners, undergraduates, graduates. Those with interest in the topic.
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