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N.C. Brown Center for Ultrastructure Studies
The N.C. Brown Center for Ultrastructure Studies is the central microscopy facility at SUNY-ESF, located on the second floor of Baker Lab. The Center for Ultrastructure Studies provides students, faculty and research staff with access, assistance, and training in modern microscopy techniques. These techniques include light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, digital imaging, image analysis and a host of ancillary applications.
This facility was first established in 1957 with the installation of the first transmission electron microscope in central New York. The N.C. Brown Center for Ultrastructure Studies was formally established in 1972 when an 
ETEC scanning electron microscope was installed in Baker Laboratory. The Center has always maintained a position of leadership and excellence in the areas of wood structure and microscopy, both nationally and internationally.
Many departments and programs within the College and neighboring universities are represented among the faculty, staff and students who utilize the Center for research. During an average year, 30 faculty, 35 graduate students, and numerous undergraduate students utilize the resources of the Center for their research. Outreach activity is also an important service provided by the Center. These services include providing micrographs for educational purposes, assistance to other universities, tours and demonstrations to interested technology groups, and microscopy assistance to private industry. The types of private industries for which we provided microscopy services include forest product industries, pulp and paper manufacturers, wood preservation companies, consulting engineering firms, and large pharmaceutical companies.
- 2010-2011 Annual Report (PDF)
Contact Us
- Dr. Susan Anagnost, Director, 470-6880; seanagno@esf.edu
- Robert P. Smith, MS, PhD candidate, Assistant Director, 470-6871; rpsmith@esf.edu
Microscopes
- JEOL 2000EX, an 80-200 KV transmission electron microscope with tilt stage goniometer
- JEOL 5800 low vacuum scanning electron microscope equipped with an EDAX energy dispersive x-ray analyzer
- an array of specialized light microscopes with digital cameras.
Ancillary equipment
- Leica UC6 Cryo and Resin Ultramicrotome
- Balzers T400 Rotary Shadow Freeze-Fracture Device with Glow Discharge System
- Leica Freeze Substitution Machine
- Leica Plunge Freeze Device
- Leica Automatic Grid Stainer
- Beckman Airfuge
- Sliding Microtomes
- Microtek Flat Bed Film Scanner
- ImagePro, Image J, and PhotoShop
Academic Program
The Academic program offered by the Center consists of five graduate-level courses, one undergraduate level course, graduate level special topic research projects, and graduate student guidance. Our program is unique in central New York. Even though a number of other institutions are equipped with electron microscopes, we are the only one offering comprehensive formal training in the theory and application of these research tools. The courses offered are:
- MIC (CME) 585 Light Microscopy and Image Analysis 3 credit hours
- MIC (CME) 480 Fundamentals of Microscopy 3 credit hours
- MIC (CME) 580 Microtechnique 3 credit hours
- MIC (CME) 680 Fundamentals of Microscopy 3 credit hours
- MIC (CME) 685 Transmission Electron Microscopy 2-5 credit hours
- MIC (CME) 785 Scanning Electron Microscopy 5 credit hours
- MIC (CME) 796 Special Topics - Advanced Electron Microscopy 1-3 credit hours
Due to the special nature of these courses, the optimal enrollment where ‘hands-on’ practical microscope use is involved is 8-10 students.
MIC (CME) 480/680 is an undergraduate or graduate level survey course that touches on theory of all microscopes used today such as atomic force, Raman, Near Field as well as techniques employed such as In-situ hybridization, autoradiography and Immuno-gold labeling. Also covered is the cellular structure and substructure encountered during tissue examination using light and electron microscopes.
Scanning Electron Microscope
Our current scanning electron microscope is a JEOL JSM-5800 LV low vacuum scanning electron microscope equipped with an EDAX energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer. The JSM 5800 LV has superior resolution in high vacuum mode, a large chamber for microtesting, and a motorized eucentric stage for unattended analysis. The instrument will operate in the conventional high vacuum mode or the low vacuum mode of operation.
The JSM 5800 LV is equipped with an EDAX x-ray microanalysis system. The energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) is an essential and integral component of any multidisciplinary scanning electron microscopy facility. EDS x-ray analysis is employed for the identification and localization of the chemical components within the specimen.The lab is equipped with a Tousimis PVT-3B critical point dryer and with metal and carbon coaters for superior specimenresolution.
Transmission Electron Microscope
Our transmission electron microscope is a JEOL JSM-2000EX. The JSM 2000EX has an accelerating voltage of 80-200 kV. This instrument has a lattice image resolution of 0.14nm and a point image resolution of 0.28 nm and can be operated at a magnification of 1,000,000 X. The variable accelerating voltage permits the observation of of negative stained proteins, bacteria, viruses or ultrathin sections at the lower kV as well as superior resolution of nanoparticles and thick specimens at higher voltages. It has a side entry tilt stage goniometer that can perform 3D reconstruction of macromolecules, single particles and tomography of whole cells. It can also perform micro electron diffraction yielding atomic resolution on thin samples as has been accomplished with purple membrane. Other capabilities are a specimen position memory function, an auto through focus function, an optimum underfocus function, a minimum dose system, and an image data recording function. The lab has ancillary equipment that allows for ultrathin (60nm) sectioning using diamond knives of resin or frozen material, freeze-substitution, rotary shadowing, immunolabeling, freeze fracturing of various samples both biological and materials.
Light Microscopes and Image Analysis
The Center is outfitted with an array of Nikon light microscopes that are equipped for various LM techniques. These techniques include brightfield (transmitted and reflected), phase contrast, darkfield, UV fluorescence using multiple filters, video enhanced contrast, polarization, oil immersion, and Nomarski differential interference contrast. Images are recorded using a Spot RT or K digital cameras (1600x1200 pixels) and recorded into Spot, Image Pro Plus 7.0, Image J or Photoshop. The lab is set up for correlative microscopy where the same sample is viewed by light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The lab has several sliding microtomes for preparing thin sections for light microscopy.
Current Projects
- Cellulose microcrystals
- Gold nanoparticles
- Quantum dots
- Ink penetration in paper
- Location of hemicellulose in wood
- Fish gall bladder parasites
- Insect disease vectors
- Wood degradation by fungi
- PHOTO GALLERY (under development)
Rate Schedule
ESF |
Outside Academics |
Industry |
|
| Training Charges: (Students registered for an ESF CME/MIC courses are not included)* |
|
Rate |
Rate** |
| Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) (JEOL 2000EX)/hr | $40 | 50 | 100 |
| High Resolution TEM 120kV and higher/hr | 50 | 60 | 120 |
| Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) (JEOL 5800LV)/hr | 40 | 50 | 100 |
| Freeze Fracture Techniques (Balzers 400T)/hr | 40 | 50 | 100 |
| Cryotechniques (Ultramicrotomy;Freeze Substitution) (UC6)/hr | 40 | 50 | 100 |
| Resin Ultramicrotomy (hydrophobic or Hydrophilic)/sample | 40 | 50 | 100 |
| Light Microscopy/slide | 40 | 50 | 100 |
| Sliding Microtome | 40 | 50 | 100 |
| Usage Charges: Biological/Materials | |||
| Light microscopy (BF,PC,Nomarski, PL)/slide | 10 | 15 | 30 |
| Photomicrography/slide | 10 | 15 | 30 |
| Sliding microtome/sample | 10 | 15 | 30 |
| Stained semi-thin sections/slide (TEM) | 10 | 15 | 30 |
| Fluorescence sample prep/slide | 40 | 50 | 100 |
| Fluorescence micrography/slide | 40 | 50 | 100 |
| SEM/hr | 40 | 50 | 100 |
| Critical Point Drying/run | 30 | 45 | 90 |
| Sputter Coating Au/Pd/run | 20 | 30 | 60 |
| SEM elemental analysis/sample | 40 | 50 | 100 |
| TEM/hr | 40 | 50 | 100 |
| High Resolution TEM (120kV and higher)/hr | 50 | 60 | 120 |
| Freeze Substitution/run | 75 | 100 | 200 |
| Ultamicrotome/hr | 40 | 50 | 100 |
| Tissue processing and embedding in plastic/4 blocks | 60 | 90 | 180 |
| Cryoultramicrotomy/sample | 75 | 100 | 200 |
| Autoradiography (tritium, iodine 125)/sample | 500 | 1000 | 2000 |
| Immunoelectron microscopy IEM (LM,SEM or TEM)/sample | 500 | 1000 | 2000 |
| Silver enhancement/sample | 40 | 50 | 100 |
| Wet photography and film scanning/each | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Freeze Fracture/sample (with IEM add $500) | 500 | 1000 | 2000 |
| Negative staining (UA,PTA,Va,Mo)/grid | 10 | 15 | 30 |
| Airfuge particle count (includes negative stain TEM)/run | 500 | 1000 | 2000 |
| Glow discharge/run | 10 | 15 | 30 |
| Rotary shadow (pt,Au,Cr,Ti,Ta)/run | 50 | 60 | 120 |
| Electron diffraction/grid | 500 | 1000 | 2000 |
| Electron tomography and 3D reconstruction/grid | 500 | 1000 | 2000 |
* Students may be charged lab fee for certain courses
** Industry Rate is normally 2X Outside Academia Rate unless otherwise noted
- Fee-for-service charges: Freeze Fracture, Ultramicrotomy, TEM, SEM and others $40/hr + materials and equipment use charge
- Supply charges: Film, paper, stubs, grids, liquid nitrogen, etc. at cost
Reserve time on the Microscopes
Forms to submit to schedule time on the microscopes (under development).
JEOL 2000EX TEM
JEOL 5800 SEM
Acknowledgments in Publications
The N.C. Brown Center for Ultrastructure Studies at SUNY-ESF must be acknowledged in all publications that include data derived from the Center. Include this statement: "Microscopy was performed at the N.C. Brown Center for Ultrastructure Studies at SUNY-ESF, Syracuse, NY."
If N.C. Brown personnel performed the work for you they should be acknowledged by name.
Experience of the Directors
Susan Anagnost, Ph.D.
- 10 years as Assistant Director of the NC Brown Center
- Associate Professor, SUNY-ESF
- Chair, Department of Sustainable Construction Management and Engineering 2006-present
Noteworthy publications:
Rosenbaum, PF, Crawford JA, Anagnost SE, Wang CJK,, Hunt A, Anbar RD, Hargrave TM, Hall GE, Liu CC, Abraham JL. 2010. Indoor airborne fungi and wheeze in the first year of life among a cohort of infants at risk for asthma. Journal Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, 20:503-515,(September-October) 2010. e-Pub ahead of print doi:10.1038/jes.2009.27. PMID 19536075.
Anagnost, S.E., Zhou, S., Yeo, H. Wang, C.J.K., Smith, W.B. and D.M. Roberts. 2006. Fungi inhabiting southern pine utility poles during manufacture. Forest Products Journal 56(1):53-59.
Fernando, A.A., Anagnost, S.E., Zhou, S., Morey, S.R., and C.J.K. Wang. 2005. Noteworthy fungi from air samples. Mycotaxon 92:322-338.
Anagnost, S.E., Mark, R. M. and R. B. Hanna. 2005. S2 Orientation of Microfibrils in Softwood Tracheids and Hardwood Fibers. International Association of Wood Anatomists Journal 26(3):325-338.
Anagnost, S.E., Mark, R.E. and R.B. Hanna. 2002. Variation of microfibril angle within individual fibers. Wood and Fiber Science 34(2):337-349.
Anagnost, S.E., Mark, R.E. and R.B. Hanna. 2000. Utilization of soft rot cavity orientation for the determination of microfibril angle. Wood and Fiber Science 32(1):81-87.
Anagnost, S.E. 1998. Light microscopic diagnosis of wood decay. International Association of Wood Anatomists Journal 19(2):141-167.
Robert P. Smith, M.S., Ph.D.
(Pending)
- 10 years as lab director of the Diagnostic Electron Microscope Center, Pathology Department, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York.
- 12 years experience as head electron microscope unit, Wyeth Vaccines, Rochester and Pearl River, NY.
Noteworthy publications:
Fletcher, LD, RP Smith et al 2004. Vaccine Potential of the Neisseria meningitidis 2086 Lipoprotein. Infection and Immunity 72: 2088-2100.
Lo, MC, RP Smith et al. 2004. Probing the Interaction of HTI-286 with Tubulin using a Stilbene analogue. Journal of the American Chemical Society. 126: 9898-9899.
Green, BA, RP Smith et al. 2005. PppA, Surface Exposed Protein of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Elicits Cross Reactive Antibodies That Reduce Colonization in a Murine Intranasal Immunization Challenge Model. Infection and Immunity 2005. 73(2): 981-989.
Hennan, J., RP Smith et al. 2006. Rotigaptide (ZP123) Prevents Spontaneous Ventricular Arrhythmias and Reduces Infarct Size During Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Open-Chest Dogs. J Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. April, 317(1): 236-43.
Petrus, AK, RP Smith et al. 2009. Exploring the Implications of Vitamin B12 Conjugation to Insulin on Insulin Receptor Binding. ChemMedChem (4):421-426. (Journal Cover Image Also)
