The PFMU also offers you the full service of ultra-thin sections  (from your chemically fixed sample(s), followed by dehydration, resin embedding, ultramicrotome cutting and sections contrasting), cryo-sections or cryo-fractures made by the platform's staff under the conditions and at the prices (in CHF) indicated below:

 

¹  The immuno-labelling protocol and antibodies (primary and secondary coupled or not) are provided by the users. Results regarding the quality of cryo-sections and immuno-labelling cannot be guaranteed due to the nature of these techniques and the lack of experience in using specific antibodies in these techniques.

²  Research groups who wish to perform cryo-sections or cryo-fractures themselves or have the platform staff perform them, must also pay for the filling of liquid nitrogen dewars (40 liters for cryo-sections and 60 liters for cryo-fractures). For those who cannot obtain nitrogen through their department, the PFMU will obtain the necessary nitrogen from the CMU faculty service (loge des huissiers) and charge it to the users (price: on average 2.27 CHF/liter).

 

• Special requests or additional work requested for samples processed by the PFMU will be invoiced differently in agreement with the requesting users.
• The PFMU, within the limits of its means and availability, may also provide users with specific technical assistance in the development of a research project. The modalities will be discussed in advance in these particular cases.
• Research groups wishing to acquire reagents or other small equipment commonly used for electron microscopy may contact the PFMU staff. These products will be re-invoiced to the groups at the cost price paid by the PFMU.
• Finally, we would like to remind you that the PFMU supports and encourages all new technicians, students, postdocs or other researchers who would like to learn about ultrastructural imaging techniques. The PFMU team is at your disposal for any information.
• For any other questions or information please contact Prof. Michelangelo Foti at 95204 or by e-mail (michelangelo.foti(at)unige.ch)

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 The PFMU also offers you the access to instruments and auxiliary equipment (e.g. microscopes, microtomes, cryo-fracture apparatus, carbon and metal coaters and so on) under the conditions and at the prices (in CHF) indicated below:

valid from 01.01.2020	University of Geneva	Academia	Industry
TEM: Tecnai 20 (independent use after completed training)	50/hr1	100/hr	200/hr
TEM: Morgnani (independent use after completed training)	50/hr1	100/hr	200/hr
Ultramicrotomes / Ultracryotomes (independent use after completed training)	20/hr1	40/hr	80/hr
Leica UC7-FC7 (independent use after completed training)	30/hr1	60/hr	120/hr
Helios SEM (operated by PFMU staff only)	50/hr2	100/hr2	200/hr2
Helios Slice&View (operated by PFMU staff only)	200/two days run2	400/two days run2	1000/two days run2
Sputter Coater/coating run (with assistance)	25.-	50.-	100.-
Critical Point Dryer/2 hrs run (with assistance)	30.-	60.-	120.-

 

¹The invoicing of the hours of use of the Transmission Electron Microscopes (Tecnai 20 and Morgnani) and ultramicrotomes for the independent users of the University of Geneva is subject to a reducing of charges during the calendar year (from January 1st to December 31st). The following rates apply:

                        50.- CHF/hr for the first 40 hrs

                        20.- CHF/hr for the next 40 hrs

                        10.- CHF/hr after first 80 hrs

 

²The use of the Helios microscope for SEM or Slice&View analyses implies an important consumption of reagents by the machine. That is why the analyses will be charged in all cases, even if the analyses are not satisfactory. Thank you for your understanding.

 

Morphometric analyses of TEM images can be performed on computers located in the next rooms to the microscopes (with appropriate software installed, are freely available and free of charge).

For 3D reconstructions or other image processing, the AMIRA software is available on a powerful computer located in the Bio-Imaging Facility (room C06.1742.A). The MAPS software used for correlative microscopy is also available on this computer. Technical support for this software is provided by the Bio-Imaging staff. Users of the PFMU must systematically register with the Bio-Imaging staff in order to apply the hourly rate of 5.-CHF.

 The PFMU also offers you the the training to independently operate the ultramicrotomes and TEMs under the conditions and at the prices (in CHF) indicated below:

valid from 01.01.2020	University of Geneva	Academia	Industry
Training to operate Ultramicrotomes1	200.-	400.-	800.-
Training to operate Cryo-ultramicrotomes1	400.-	800.-	1200.-
Introduction to TEM microscopes2 (mandatory for new users)	300.-	600.-	1000.-

 

¹ Please contact Ms Pilar Ruga-Fahy or Ms Laura De Luca (tél. 95305, pfmu(at)unige.ch) for training before using the ultramicrotomes

² Please contact Hervé Blanchard (tél. 95263, pfmu(at)unige.ch) for training before using the TEMs microscopes