College of Marine Science
Electron Microscopy Laboratory
Knight Oceanographic Center
Room 2125

Contact info: Anthony M. Greco
Electron Microscope Manager
727-553-1595
tgreco@usf.edu

The Electron Microscopy Center at the College of Marine Science is actively involved in teaching and research programs within the University of South Florida. It currently houses a state of the art Hitachi S-3500N variable pressure Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) which can examine non-conductive hydrated biological samples. Accessory equipment includes a Robinson Backscattered detector for atomic number contrast and variable pressure imaging and an EDAX x-ray microanalysis system with a liquid nitrogen free 131ev silicon drift detector that can detect elements down to boron.

The center also contains a Hitachi 7100 Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) equipped with a bottom mount Gatan high resolution (7 megapixal ) digital camera for the rapid acquisition of publication quality images without the use of film.

Research in the facility encompasses a wide variety of disciplines including biology, chemistry and geology. Projects have involved the ultrastructure of bleached foraminifera, identification and photography of water borne pathogens, high resolution TEM of marine viruses and the sizing and chemical classification of Saharan dust particles.

Two graduate level courses are offered in alternating semesters on the theory and techniques of Transmission Electron Microscopy and a separate course on the theory and techniques of Scanning Electron Microscopy. Students are given hands on training in specimen preparation and instrument operation as well as background theory in classroom lectures. A personal project in each class assures that students have mastered the basic fundamentals of TEM and SEM.