2023_24
Educational guide 
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
A A A 
english 
Bachelor's Degree in Medicine (2009)
 Subjects
  MICROSCOPY TECHNIQUES
   Contents
Topic Sub-topic
1. Historical introduction to the study of cells and tissues. Cell types and limitations of biological cells and tissues for their study through the light microscope.

2. Stereo microscope. Description of its parts. Image formation. Handling and applications.


3. Optical microscope. Characteristics of the mechanical and optical elements. Associated concepts: numerical aperture, resolution limit, depth of field. Image formation. Calculation of magnification and ways of expressing it on image. The inverted microscope and its applications.

4. Sample preparation techniques for light microscopy. Techniques for the preparation of cells and tissues for study under the light microscope. Specific applications of optical microscopy in medicine.

5. Basis of operation of special optical microscopes and their applications. Phase contrast microscope. Interdifferential contrast microscope. Darkfield microscope. Polarised light microscope. Ultraviolet or fluorescence microscope. Confocal microscope. Image analysis and its applications.

6. Electron microscopy. Principles of electron microscope operation in comparison with the optical microscope. Types of electron microscopes: transmission electron microscope (TEM), atomic resolution transmission electron microscope (FETEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM-FIB). Operation comparison.

7. Sample preparation techniques for electron microscopy. Comparison of sample preparation techniques for transmission electron microscopy with those for light microscopy. Scanning electron microscope preparation techniques; comparison with transmission electron microscopy preparation techniques. Applications of electron microscopy techniques in the study of tumours.

8. Important considerations. Criteria for selecting the most appropriate instrument and technique for the study of biological tissues and cells.

9. The electron microscope as an analytical instrument. X-ray microanalysis, principles of operation. Sample preparation techniques. Applications of X-ray microanalysis in medicine.

10. New developments in electron microscopy and applications. Low temperature techniques (cryo-techniques). Field emission scanning electron microscopy. Transmission electron microscopy.

11. Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). History. Description of its parts. Image formation. Handling and applications.