Modernising the Electron Microscopy capabilities at the University of Glasgow

The College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences at the University in Glasgow hosts world-leading research and is a major hub for studies relevant to human health, ranging from fundamental science to nanomedicine, through pathogen and infection research. To maintain this high-quality environment, the College has recently created an integrated Imaging Facility, improving management of and training on diverse imaging systems (both light and electron microscope based) located at the Gilmorehill campus.

An up-to-date facility will contribute to the continuous successful outputs, while providing researchers with access to world-class equipment supported by experienced technologists. We seek funds to replace a 35-years of use transmission electron microscope, which will allow to improve and expand the imaging capacities in the facility. Several current projects that span the remit of MRC strategic plans are at a stage requiring techniques that cannot be fulfilled by the current instrumentation available at the facility.

The upgrade of our capabilities in electron microscopy ensures that the facility offers substantially better services.

In this proposal we have highlighted some projects (led by Early Careers Researchers to mid-careers and full Professors) that would benefit from the requested up-to-date TEM, spanning from studies of infection and immunity to molecular and cellular medicine, through neuroscience and population medicine and global health. A modern TEM would also allow the facility to continue to train new generations of skilled researchers with specific expertise, through training and support in the use of the microscope.

The immediate scientific outcomes from the new equipment will also have long-term benefits for the Glasgow scientific community, providing incentives for further project bids and fostering cooperation between research teams. This will be particularly valuable for early career researchers, as it will support their projects by additions of key experimental techniques without the need of a prior large investment.

It will also contribute to create a high-quality training and research environment, facilitating international collaborations and recruitment and, as such, benefiting the wider Scottish community. Such an environment will also benefit research students by providing access to valuable training and expanding their career options in the future. In view of these advantages, the College is committed to ensuring that the facility is optimally managed and that resources are provided for technical staff to maintain the equipment and support the users in their experiments.

The equipment requested will be central for the new imaging facility, to incorporate it in the College strategy and support multiple users with the existing and future projects.