Oxford Particle Imaging Centre specialises in cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM)
The Oxford Particle Imaging Centre (OPIC) is part of the Division of Structural Biology within the Nuffield Department of Medicine at the University of Oxford. OPIC facilities are located in the Centre for Human Genetics on the Old Road Campus.
OPIC houses state-of-the-art equipment for cryo-EM single particles analysis, in-situ FIB-milling and cryo-ET of biological specimens, from small macromolecular complexes to cells. Our facilities are available to all researchers from across the University of Oxford as well as external users from both academia and industry.
Our facility includes a series of plunging devices (Vitrobots, GP2 Leica plunger), grids micro-patterning (Primo, Alveole) for preparing and optimizing grids to image both purified macromolecular complexes or cells. A 200-kV Glacios (Thermo Fisher Scientific) cryo-TEM equipped with a Falcon III direct electron detector for sample screening, grid optimizations and initial data collection. A 300-kV Titan Krios G3i (Thermo Fisher Scientific) cryo-TEM equipped with Falcon 4i direct electron detector and a Selectris-X imaging filter for high resolution single particles and tomography data collection. A Thermo Scientific Arctis Cryo-Plasma Focused Ion Beam (cryo-PFIB) for high-throughput production of cryo-lamellae from vitrified cells. In addition, its integrated fluorescent module (iFLM) enables fluorescence imaging at the electron/ion beam coincidence point. Fluorescence imaging for targeting, intermediate verification, and final target confirmation can easily be done before, in-between, and after the ion milling without moving the stage. Its Autoloader system provides a unique, direct connection between cryo-FIB-SEM sample preparation and cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). The platform also host an Aquilos 2, which is a dual beam system equipped with integrated fluorescent module (iFLM) and an easy-lift needle for lift-out approaches, allowing the preparation of thin, electron-transparent cellular lamellas of both cells and thicker samples like organoids and tissues for high-resolution cryo-electron tomography.
Equipment provided in OPIC are located within biosafety containment laboratories at ACDP category 3 and DEFRA 4 levels of containment which facilitates the study of live pathogenic viruses that are important to human and animal health.
OPIC welcomes research proposals from a broad science base - please enquire at emsupport@strubi.ox.ac.uk if you are interested in containment imaging.
Centre for Human Genetics, Roosevelt Drive
OX3 7BN, Oxford
United Kingdom
OPIC is currently available for in person or remote access visit as well as instruct internship. For information on the availability of specific technologies, view the Technology Availability List or contact emsupport@strubi.ox.ac.uk to engage directly with the team.
How to find us
Oxford Particle Imaging Centre (OPIC) is part of the Division of Structural Biology within the Nuffield Department of Medicine at the University of Oxford. OPIC facilities are located in the Centre Human Genetics on Old Road Campus.
For more information on travel to the institute click here.
OPIC houses state-of-the-art equipment for cryo-EM single particles analysis, in-situ FIB-SEM and cryo-ET of biological specimens, from small macromolecular complexes to cells. Our facilities are available to all researchers from across the University of Oxford as well as external users from both academia and industry.
Our facility includes a series of plunging devices (Vitrobots, GP2 Leica plunger), grids micro-patterning (Primo, Alveole) for preparing and optimizing grids to image both purified macromolecular complexes or cells. A 200-kV Glacios (Thermo Fisher Scientific) cryo-TEM equipped with a Falcon III direct electron detector for sample screening, grid optimizations and initial data collection. A 300-kV Titan Krios G3i (Thermo Fisher Scientific) cryo-TEM equipped with Falcon 4 direct electron detector and a Selectris-X imaging filter for high resolution single particles and tomography data collection. Thermo Scientific Arctis Cryo-Plasma Focused Ion Beam (cryo-PFIB) for high-throughput production of cryo-lamellae from vitrified cells. Its integrated fluorescent module (iFLM) enables fluorescence imaging at the electron/ion beam coincidence point. Fluorescence imaging for targeting, intermediate verification, and final target confirmation can easily be done before, in-between, and after the ion milling without moving the stage. Its Autoloader system provides a unique, direct connection between cryo-FIB-SEM sample preparation and cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) within the tomography workflow. The platform also host anAquilos 2, which is a dual beam system equipped with iFLM and an easy-lift needle for lift-out approaches, allowing the preparation of thin, electron-transparent cellular lamellas of both cells and thicker samples like organoids and tissues for high-resolution cryo-electron tomography or MicroED of micro-crystals.
Equipment provided in OPIC are located within biosafety containment laboratories at ACDP category 3 and DEFRA 4 levels of containment which facilitates the study of live pathogenic viruses that are important to human and animal health.
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