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EMU Newsletter March/April 2006 | �
Wallac VICTOR3 V Multilabel Counter • Innovation Awards •
Jenny Pollack • Courses Timetable 2006 • NANO Workshop
EMUNewsletter March/April 2006
New in 2006: Wallac VICTOR3 V Multilabel Counter coming soon
The Wallac VICTOR3 V Multilabel Counter is a
complete, multipurpose plate reader for accurate
quantitative detection of light-emitting or light-
absorbing markers, offering a first-choice solu-
tion for cell and biochemistry assays, binding
studies, dynamic-fluorescence live-cell assays,
UV absorbance for quantification of DNA and
proteins, and much more. The instrument will be
equipped with different detection technologies,
for fluorescence, luminescence, time-resolved
fluorescence and UV absorbance, illustrating
the versatility of this world-class plate reader.
In addition, a red-sensitive photomultiplier tube
(wavelength reading up to 850 nm) is incorpo-
rated into the configuration which makes the
instrument available for time-resolved fluores-
cence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and
functional drug-screening studies. The reader
is also temperature controlled allowing live-cell
or temperature-dependent measurements to be
made.
We will add this instrument to the cell culture
facilities of the Electron Microscope Unit and
the School of Chemistry in April 2006. Thus, the
EMU user-community will be able to access this
instrument via the online booking system.
Funding was obtained under the NHMRC
Equipment Grants Scheme – The University of
Sydney 2005/2006 as a joint grant proposal
between the University of Sydney’s School of
Chemistry and the Electron Microscope Unit.
www.emu.usyd.edu.au
If you have any questions regarding this
instrument please contact:
A/Prof. Filip Braet
Tel. +6� 2 935� 76�9
Prof. Peter Lay
Tel. +6� 2 935� 4269
EMU Newsletter March/April 2006 | 2
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Innovation Awards for EMU Staff
A plan to develop applications
for novel proteins found in corals
from the Great Barrier Reef and a
device that will improve drug-
screening to fight cancer were
winning entries in the inaugural
Innovation Challenge conducted
by the University of Sydney.
Dr Anya Salih received the Griffith Hack
Innovation R&D Award for her market-driven
R&D plan aimed at developing applications of
novel green fluorescent proteins identified in
corals found in the Great Barrier Reef. The R&D
is at an early stage, however, diverse applica-
tions in the fields of biomedical research, clinical
diagnostics and energy are expected given
Dr Salih’s planned multidisciplinary approach.
A team lead by Dr Lilian Soon received the
GlaxoSmithKlein Award for Best Business Plan
in Medical and Health Innovation. Dr Soon has
prepared a plan that will be the foundation for
commercialising her invention, the Soon
Chamber, a device that has improved the study
of cancer cells and the effect of new drug
therapies on cancer cell movement and growth.
This widespread availability of the technology
will greatly enhance the development of new
cancer curing drugs.
Dr Miles Apperley
Tel. +6� 2 935� 2887
For more information, contact:
From left to right:
The University of Sydney’s Pro-Vice Chancellor (CST)
Prof. Beryl Hesketh, Dr Anya Salih and Dr Lilian Soon.
EMU User Survey
Within the next month, we will be sending you
a user survey to give you the opportunity to
comment on how well we are meeting your
needs. These surveys are very important to us
because they provide us with the feedback
necessary to address any problems and im-
prove our service to you. The first two questions
are also required for our reporting to various
funding bodies (federal and state). Of course, it
is nice to know what we are doing well too, so
that we can continue on that path. One of the
key areas we have already addressed from the
last user survey is the user registration process;
this has been streamlined and new users are
seeing a real difference. Additionally, all new
users have an improved induction procedure on
their first day.
Please note that the various sections in the EMU
are running user forums two to three times a
year. The next one is the SEM forum; see this
newsletter for further details.
EMU Newsletter March/April 2006 | 3
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What is an Artist Seeking at the EMU?
From Jenny Pollak
Throughout the ages artists have always found
inspiration in the sciences and have been drawn
to scientific institutions in order to nurture and
inform their passion. Conversely, many scientists
have been drawn towards the arts and practised
both disciplines. In the �800’s, the German
scientist Ernst Haeckel made wonderful draw-
ings of many of the biological specimens that
he researched and his drawings of radiolaria
and foraminifera (Art Forms in Nature) are a
marvellous example of this.
As artist-in-residence at the EMU during 2005
and continuing this year, I have been given the
wonderful opportunity to develop my arts prac-
tice in the area of electron microscopy. By using
the XL30 scanning electron microscope, I have
been able to create large photographic images
of biological specimens – mainly marine protozoa
– which I use as a base for creative manipulation
on a computer. The result has been a body of
work in which I explore the notion that there is
an inherent beauty in symmetry.
Over the next year, I hope to create some very
large images that use symmetry and repetition
in series and patterns to create tapestries that,
on closer scrutiny, reveal the biological base
from which they are derived.
I would like to thank the EMU for making it pos-
sible for me to pursue my arts practice and look
forward to being able to share my work with
you in some of the communal and public spaces
around the unit.
For more information, contact:
Jenny Pollak
Tel. +6� 2 9974 �698
Bud 1
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New Courses Timetable 2006
The short training course program at the EMU
provides an opportunity to learn theoretical
and practical competencies that allow one to
become independent in the usea and ap-
plication of a wide variety of microscopes and
microscopy techniques. Particularly popular are
the introductory courses in specimen prepara-
tion for both biological and materials applications,
as well as the instrumentation courses for TEM,
SEM and confocal microscopes.
Full descriptions of course content, fees and
enrolment details can be found on our website.
www.emu.usyd.edu.au/emu/training_main.php.
Anne Simpson
Tel. +6� 2 935� 7525
For more information, contact:
Introductory Microscopy & Microanalysis
Semester �/2006: March �3-23
Semester 2/2006: July 3�-August �0
Biological Specimen Preparation, TEM & SEM
Semester �/2006: April 3-7
Semester 2/2006: August 2�-25
Materials Specimen Preparation, TEM & SEM
Semester �/2006: April �0-�3
Semester 2/2006: August 28-3�
Fluorescence Microscopy Techniques
Semester �/2006: May 8-��
Semester 2/2006: September �8-2�
Light Microscope Workshop
Semester �/2006: May �5
Semester 2/2006: September 25
Introduction to Confocal Microscopy
Semester �/2006: May �6-�9
Semester 2/2006: October 3-6
Operation of the Scanning Electron
Microscope
Semester �/2006: May �-5
Semester 2/2006: September 4-8
Operation of the Transmission Electron
Microscope
Semester �/2006: April 24, 26 - 28
Semester 2/2006: September ��-�4
Stereology
Semester �/2006: May 22-23
Semester 2/2006: October �2-�3
Image Analysis
Semester �/2006: May 24-26
Semester 2/2006: October �6-�8
TEM of Crystalline Materials
Semester �/2006: May 29-3�
Semester 2/2006: October 9-��
EMU Newsletter March/April 2006 | 5
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First NANO Workshop
On �0 February 2006, staff and students from
the five NANO nodes met in Sydney for the first
NANO strategic planning workshop. As well as
introducing staff across the nodes and fostering
new relationships and collaborations, the aim of
the workshop was to outline NANO’s next steps
as we consider future initiatives and opportunities.
The morning included sessions on: new
directions in technology and instrumentation;
conducting research in a national research
facility; the user experience; and promoting
interactions across the NANO network.
For more information, contact:
Rosie Hicks
Tel. +6� 2 935� 755�
Prof. Simon P Ringer
Tel. +6� 2 935� 235�
Outcomes from the workshop include plans for
secondments across the nodes and sharing of
best practise to enhance the user experience.
Watch this space for more details!
NANO staff from all Nodes accross Australia met at
Darling Harbour in Sydney for the First NANO Workshop.
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What’s New in Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) at the EMU?
Thursday 30 March 2006 | 2:00 pm
EMU, Madsen Building F09 | Room LG 92A
Are you exploring the relationships between
structure and properties of materials or devices?
Would your research benefit if you were able to
visualise fine detail from a wet specimen without
the need for extensive preparation? Have you
considered the environmental scanning electron
microscope for your research? With its high
resolution and depth of field along with the
ability to obtain analytical information at high
spatial resolution it is the ideal tool for specimen
characterisation.
Do you know what focused ion beam (FIB)
milling is? Could you benefit from FIB, where
Gallium ions effectively ‘machine’ your specimens
at high resolution for nanoscale patterning. Are
you aware what our new Raman microscope
interfaced to a SEM can do for you?
We invite you to an open user-forum to
showcase recent developments in scanning
electron microscopy at the EMU research
facility following the recent installations of new
instrumentation. We will also discuss new and
emerging SEM technologies, and look forward
to discussing your needs and problems.
Program
2:00 Introduction and welcome by A/Prof. Filip Braet.
2:10 Jocelyn Carpenter: The Quanta 3D – Any Sample, All
Data, Any Dimension
2:30 Dr Julie Cairney: Ion Beam Milling and TEM Specimen Preparation
2:40 Dr Gianluca Ranzi: Use of the Tensile Stage in SEM
2:50 Dr Liz Carter: Raman Microscopy and the SEM
3:00 Tour of the facilities.
3:30 Concluding remarks by Prof. Simon P. Ringer.
3:35 Discussion and drinks.
Dr Ian KaplinManager, Scanning Electron Microscopy
T: +61-2-9351 7675
F: +61-2-9351 7682
The EMU’s new FEI Quanta 200 3D Platform.
Dental implant, characterising cell-substrate adhesion.
RSVP to Dr Ian Kaplin 28 March 2006
EMU Newsletter March/April 2006 | 7
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A/Prof. Filip Braet
Tel. +6� 2 935� 76�9
Editors
Ms Ellie Kable
Tel. +6� 2 935� 7566
Ms Uli Eichhorn
Tel. +6� 2 935� 4493
The Electron Microscope UnitNanostructural Analysis Network Organisation
Major National Research Facility
The University of Sydney
NSW, 2006, Australia
Tel. + 6� 2 935� 235�
Fax + 6� 2 935� 7682
www.emu.usyd.edu.au
Expression of Interest for Establishing a CryoTEM Platform
The EMU, supported by the University of New
South Wales (UNSW), intends to lead a bid for
the establishment of a new cryoTEM through
the ARC LIEF scheme. Based on collaborative
preliminary results, congress participation,
manuscript reviews, and literature study it has
become clear that there is a need for more
advanced molecular microscopic methods, such
as fine-structure immunogold stainings, cryo-
electron microscopy and 3D-reconstructions at
the nanometre scale. The University of Sydney
wants to take a leading position in this exiting
era of molecular microscopy.
Research groups or individuals with an interest
in or a desire to support this initiative, please
sent an email with your contact details to Shaun
Bulcock (Manager, Transmission Electron
Microscopy), and we will contact you as soon
as possible thereafter.
Recommended Reading:
Nickell S, Kofler C, Leis AP, Baumeister W. A
visual approach to proteomics. Nat Rev Mol Cell
Biol 2006 Mar;7(3):225-230.
Kanaras AG, Sonnichsen C, Liu H, Alivisatos AP.
Controlled synthesis of hyperbranched inorganic
nanocrystals with rich three-dimensional structures.
Nano Lett 2005 Nov;5(11):2164-2167.
For more information and feedback:
A/Prof. Filip Braet
Tel. +6� 2 935� 76�9
Shaun Bulcock
Tel. +6� 2 935� 7529
