Advanced Scanning Electron Microscope for Research, Training and Outreach

Focus topic:	Life Science Technologies
Type of funding:	Individual funding programmes
Funded institution:	Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena

The Prisma fund will enable Prof. Dr. Andreas Hejnol, Professor of Zoology at the University of Jena, to make an existing scanning electron microscope fully usable again. This will involve updating the electronics and software.

Goals

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) magnifies surfaces in detail. Only with this technique can one get an impression of the surface structure. When combined with other visualization and analysis methods, one obtains an overall impression of the structures. For example, sensory receptors of the epidermis can be detected and documented in 3D. However, SEM not only enables the detection of sensory cells, but also achieves unique insights into the internal anatomy of animals by "breaking" the body structures.

The project strengthens scanning electron microscopy at the Institute of Zoology and Evolutionary Research. This not only provides significant added value for research, but also in teaching. Furthermore, in addition to data, the SEM also provides attractive images that are very suitable for science communication.