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SUNY ESF
N.C. Brown Center for Ultrastructure Studies

The N.C. Brown Center for Ultrastructure Studies in Baker Laboratory provides instruction and assistance in light microscopy methods, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, digital imaging, and image analysis. Many departments and programs within the College and neighboring universities are represented among the faculty, staff and students who use the microscopes for research and instruction. The Center's academic program provides courses for both undergraduate and graduate students.

The Center also provides microscopy services to the forest product industries, pulp and paper manufacturers, wood products manufacturers, engineers and architects.  Recent industry projects include quality control of manufactured wood products; analysis of paper, pulp and other fiber-based products; decay condition analysis of wood products; analysis of a variety of materials for structure and elemental composition, and wood identification. 

Microscopes in Baker Laboratory:

  • JEOL JEM 2100F Transmission Electron Microscope with STEM, Cryo, Oxford AZtec EDS
  • JEOL JSM IT100LA InTouch Scanning Electron Microscope with low vacuum, EDS, STEM in SEM, in-situ freeze drying
  • Light Microscope Lab 
    Nikon Eclipse E600 with Nomarski
    Nikon Eclipse E600 with Fluorescence and Phase contrast
    Nikon Optiphot
    Nikon StereoZoom SMZ1500

Academic Program

Courses offered:

  • Undergraduate:
    MCR 480 Fundamentals of Microscopy (3)
    MCR 484 Scanning Electron Microscopy (3)
    MCR 485 Transmission Electron Microscopy (3)
  • Graduate/ Advanced Undergraduate
    MCR 580 Microtechnique of Wood (1-3)
    MCR 585 Light Microscopy (3)
    MCR 590 Operation of the IT100 Scanning Electron Microscope for Experienced SEM Users (1)
  • Graduate:
    MCR 680 Fundamentals of Microscopy (3)
    MCR 683 Operation of the Transmission Electron Microscope (3)
    MCR 783 Scanning Electron Microscopy (3)
  • Microscopy Minor (12 credits):
    MCR 480 Fundamentals of Microscopy (3)
    MCR 484 Scanning Electron Microscopy (3)
    MCR 485 Transmission Electron Microscopy (3)
    MCR 585 Light Microscopy (3)

This microscopy 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.

Mission:The mission of the NC Brown Center for Ultrastructure Studies is to promote the use of microscopy-based research methods to advance knowledge on subjects related to the academic mission and programs offered at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and partner universities, Syracuse University and Upstate Medical University; to educate students and faculty on microscopy methods appropriate to their research; and to provide support to industry for research and quality control based on faculty expertise and appropriate microscopy methods.

Wood Anatomy Images on the Blog

Scanning Electron micrographs of hardwoods and softwoods were recently digitized from film. See more >>

NSF Funds $1.12M for Transmission Electron Microscope at ESF

$1.12 million NSF Grant was awarded to ESF for a cryo field emission transmission electron microscope. The proposal submitted by Dr. Susan E. Anagnost, Robert P. Smith, M.S, Dr. Ivan Gitsov from ESF; Dr. Mathew M. Maye from Syracuse University; and Dr. Stephan Wilkens from Upstate Medical University.

Microscopes and Equipment

Managed by NC Brown Center for Ultrastructure Studies:

  • Nikon Eclipse Light Microscopes with Brightfield, Nomarski Differential Interference Contrast, Phase Contrast, and Fluorescence
  • Nikon Optiphot
  • Lumenara Infinity Cameras for Light Microscopy
  • Sliding Microtomes
  • Epson Film Scanner
  • ImagePro, Image J, PhotoShop, Infinity Analyze

Managed by Analytical and Technical Services:

  • JEOL JSM IT100LA InTouch Scanning Electron Microscope with EDS, low vacuum imaging, in-situ freeze drying; STEM in SEM
  • JEOL JEM 2100F Field Emission Transmission Electron Microscope with STEM, Cryo and Oxford AZtec EDS
  • Leica UC6 Cryo and Resin Ultramicrotome
  • Reichert Ultracut E Ultramicrotome
  • Denton Vacuum DESK V Cold Sputter/Etch Unit
  • Tousimis Samdri PVT-3B Critical Point Dryer