The High Resolution Electron Microscopy Facility (HREMF) was established in 1997 to provide a resource to investigators for high resolution imaging of cells, tissues, and nanomateriais. The mission of the HREMF is to provide scanning and transmission electron microscopy services to members of MD Anderson. The HREMF occupies 536 square feet in the R.E. """"""""Bob"""""""" Smith Research Building on the South Campus. The HREMF offers a number of services including: (a) consultation and assistance in constructing appropriate experimental designs for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), (b) processing of samples for SEM and TEM, (c) assistance with sample screening and data interpretation, (d) recommendations for future experiments, and (e) assistance with the development of custom designed protocols to meet individual investigator needs. The HREMF houses 2 electron microscopes: a Joel JEM1010 TEM and a Joel JEM5900 SEM. Additional equipment needed to prepare samples for TEM and SEM, such as an ultramicrotome and ultrastainer, are also maintained in the facility. The JEM5900 SEM is equipped with an electron backscatter detector and is the only microscope of its kind available on the MD Anderson campus. Similarly, the TEM is the only such instrument at MD Anderson dedicated solely for research. The institution recognizes the importance of the HREMF to MD Anderson members and recently purchased software packages that enhance the performance and capabilities of the electron microscopes. Over the past 5 years, the HREMF provided services to 141 investigators, a 58% increase over the 2002- 2007 period. Sixty-four percent of users of the resource were MD Anderson members with peer-reviewed funding, and 55% of the total budget is requested from the CCSG. Publications cited using the HREMF have appeared in Proc Nat Acad Sci and J Natl Cancer Inst. Several of these reports focused on the development of novel therapeutic strategies to treat chemotherapy resistant tumors, such as the use of nanoparticle mediated hyperthermia therapy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. The HREMF has supported these innovative approaches by helping Investigators characterize the bioengineered material. In future work, HREMF will develop new approaches to facilitate studies seeking to use nanomateriais for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. The HREMF plans to continue adopting and developing new electron microscopy techniques to assist investigators with their studies. The HREMF requests 55% of the total operating budget from CCSG funding.
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