Ateneo - UPO

Introduction to high-magnification structural analysis with an electron microscope. Description of the tools and methods used in ultrastructural diagnostics.
Application examples.

A copy of the lesson in ppt with added notes, will be delivered at the end of the course.

The module aims to give the basis for the learning of operating principles of the electron, transmission and scanning microscope, and of the preparative techniques of tissues and cells, including procedures for cutting, staining and immuno-staining techniques of the samples. Finally, it is proposed to describe the main fields of diagnostic application of transmission electron microscopy, including: cancer diseases, functional pathologies, and infectious diseases.

The student must have the basic notions of anatomy, histology and cytology, physics, and chemistry.

Power point presentations

Test with multiple choice questions, in written or oral form.
Collective discussion of the test results.

INTRODUCTION: Transmission (TEM) and scanning (SEM) electron microscopy.
TEM and SEM : PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION.
PREPARATION OF TISSUES AND CELLS FOR TEM: methods of fixation, post-fixation in osmium tetroxide, dehydration, and resin embedding; cutting with ultramicrotome of fine and ultrafine sections; section staining methods.
PRINCIPLES OF IMMUNO-ELECTRON-MICROSCOPY.
NORMAL CELLULAR ULTRASTRUCTURE.
ULTRASTRUCTURAL PATHOLOGY:
1) Non-neoplastic renal pathology
2) Amyloidosis
3) Congenital diseases
4) Neoplastic diseases
5) Applications in medical microbiology

Basic knowledge of the preparatory methods for cells and tissues of the electron microscopy laboratory, and of the instruments used. Understanding of the main diagnostic purposes of transmission electron microscopy.