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The integrated BioCryo Facility (RRID:SCR_021288) provides a comprehensive source for the characterization of biological, soft matter, and hybrid samples with TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy), SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), and STEM (Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy) at cryogenic or ambient temperature. We provide expertise and access to equipment for cryofixation and processing of frozen-hydrated samples by high-pressure freezing, plunge freezing, cryo fracturing, cryo ultramicrotomy, and freeze substitution. We also process samples  at ambient temperature with chemical fixation, dehydration, and resin embedment, or critical point drying.

BioCryo Highlight

Featured Article: Nature Biomedical Engineering, 2023 

Micropillar-induced nuclear deformation is associated with alterations in nuclear structural components.

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The BioCryo Core contributed to a recent publication demonstrating that topographical cues on cells can, through contact guidance, alter cellular plasticity and accelerate the regeneration of cultured tissue. The findings suggest that medical device topographies could be designed to facilitate bone regeneration via chromatin reprogramming.

The BioCryo facility participated with sample preparation, ultramicrotomy and electron microscopy.