Report on Electron Microscopy work at York’s Biology Department

Agar Scientific is pleased to report on the work of the Biology Department at the University of York to whom they have been suppliers of electron microscopy supplies for many years.

As a leading supplier of accessories for microscopy, Agar Scientific is very pleased to have built a strong and loyal customer base. The Biology Department at the University of York is a well-established Agar partner with the Bioscience Technology Facility providing state-of-the-art microscopy services to researchers of all levels of expertise.

The Imaging & Cytometry Laboratory is managed by Dr Peter O'Toole. The lab has two remits. First, it serves the multidisciplinary Department of Biology at York by providing a first class service and access to the best imaging equipment for their internal, external and commercial users. This ranges from varied electron microscopes to multiphoton confocal microscopes and on to flow cytometry. Secondly, the lab is involved in the development and advancement of both light and electron microscopy. The lab is currently developing novel correlative/integrated light and electron microscopy solutions in collaboration with Lucy Collinson at the London Research Institute (CRUK), with York developing the electron excited Super Resolution Microscopy techniques (eSRM). The lab is also leading the field with regards to the development of ptychography, a novel quantitative label-free, high-contrast, live-cell imaging technique.

Microscopist, Meg Stark, talks about how the relationship has developed with Agar. "We've always had a friendly, knowledgeable and efficient service from Agar, so no reason to change! Advice is always available on the phone or email, and Agar stock an extensive range of microscopy materials and some key components e.g. EM filaments." Asked how long the department have been dealing with Agar, Meg laughed: "Forever! Decades, just don't ask how many. Personally, I inherited ordering from Agar Aids as it was then when I started working here. We can buy everything for electron microscopy from Agar. The paper catalogue was very good and the new website is excellent."

Agar Scientific provides a comprehensive online catalogue and price list on all accessories and consumables for microscopy. To download your free copy, please visit www.agarscientific.com and register today.