Life Sciences
Seminar
Electron Microscopy:
Powering Modern Biomedical
Discovery
Dr. Ru-ching
Hsia
Principal Scientist,
Head of Electron Microscopy Core
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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To request an interpreter, please visit myaccess.rit.edu
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