FAQ

Schedule a free consultation with the Head of EML, Dr. Ru-ching Hsia, to discuss the aim of your research project. Dr.  Hsia will advise on the best EM technique(s) to use, the amount of sample required and how to produce adequate specimens needed for the EM experiments.

Dr. Hsia will advise you on the best time frame to start the project.  You must initiate an EM service request at the NCI Frederick Accessioning System (NAS), select service “Electron Microscopy (CCR)” and fill out the online form.  Based on the description of the project and the number of samples, EML will provide cost estimates through NAS.  Your project will then be submitted to the corresponding authorization officer (AO) for budget approval.  The EM service can only start after the AO and you have approved and accepted the cost estimate.  Upon approval, you may reach out to EML to request shipment of fixative as discussed during consultation and schedule shipment of your sample. Learn more about NCI Accessioning System (NAS) HERE.

All EM samples need to be appropriately fixed prior to shipment to ensure optimal preservation of ultrastructural details.  EML will provide guidelines for fixation and the fixative needed depending on specific samples and research projects.  Please make sure to provide the number of samples you plan to submit and the volume you need per sample when requesting fixative.

• Once samples are fixed, they can be washed and transfer to buffer or buffer with low concentration of paraformaldehyde for shipment.  Transfer samples in 1.5 or 5 ml centrifuge tubes, fill the tubes with buffer to the top so that the specimen will not be stuck on the tube wall and dry during shipment.  Seal the tube with parafilm.
• In general, EM specimens should be shipped at 4^oC unless you are specifically instructed do otherwise. Place an ice pack in the Styrofoam shipping container, stuff paper towels or bubble wraps between your sample tubes and ice pack to prevent direct contact and freezing of your specimen.
• Fill the space inside the Styrofoam container with paper towels, bubble wraps or other packing material to protect specimen tubes from moving or crashing into each other during shipping.
• Arrange shipping and print shipping label at Shipping wizard using the shipping address as below

Attn: Ru-ching Hsia (ru-ching.hsia@nih.gov)
Electron Microscopy Laboratory.
Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research (FNLCR)
ATRF, 8560 Progress Drive
Frederick, MD 21701
Room D1026
Phone: 301-846-7168

• Include an “UP” arrow on the outside of the box 

Different type of EM experiments requires different amount of time for processing and imaging.   The turn-around time for your project may also depend on the current workload at EML.  However, EML strives for the fastest return for each EM project.  To minimize the wait time, researchers are encouraged take scope operation training and take images themselves.   EML is currently testing several fast-processing protocols using the recently acquired automated sample processing platform.   Users have options to request faster processing protocols to speed up their research.  EML keep researchers informed about the progress of their EM projects and offer investigators the opportunity to view the semi thick toluidine blue stained LM or other intermediate QC images before we proceed to collect final images.  

Yes, EML can provide limited image enhancement, post processing and assistance in image interpretation.  However, extensive quantitative analysis that requires a lot of staff time will accrue additional staff assistance hourly charges. The Head of EML offers image analysis/processing training using Fiji (ImageJ).  Please inquire directly with Dr. Hsia.

EML staff are often working on multiple tasks during the day.  With the large number of incubation and washing steps involved in EM sample processing, it is not practical for researchers to observe the processing steps.  However, researchers are encouraged to join EML staff during image acquisition on the electron microscopes.  Researchers are also encouraged to take scope operation training, examine and take images of their own specimens to gain much broader view and understanding of their specimen.