Nobel Prize for Chemistry 2017 Honors a Cool Revolution in Biochemistry
October 12, 2017
Cryo-EM allows the study of biomolecules at atomic resolution prepared under cryogenic conditions
Wetzlar, Germany. The 2017 Nobel Prize for Chemistry will be awarded to Jacques Dubochet (University of Lausanne, Switzerland), Joachim Frank (Columbia University, New York, USA) and Richard Henderson (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK) for their contributions to the development of cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Leica Microsystems sincerely congratulates the scientists for this recognition of their great scientific achievements which have moved biochemistry into a new era.
“We are pleased that this honor conferred by the Nobel Prize Committee once again highlights the enormous importance of microscopy for its contributions to scientific breakthroughs”, says Markus Lusser, President of Leica Microsystems. “This work on cryo-EM imaging and the associated sample preparation methods has created the basis for making a leap ahead in structural biology. Highly resolved, three-dimensional images of protein structures help researchers investigate biological processes down to the sub-molecular level of detail which is imperative for understanding the chemistry of life and designing novel therapies.”
Leica Microsystems has been offering a wide range of highly sophisticated products for cryo-EM sample preparation and actively engaged in delivering solutions for the cryo-EM community for over 10 years. We are happy to be a supplier and partner to the winners. Leica remains committed to developing improved solutions to support diverse cryo-applications, such as, grid plunging, high pressure freezing, shuttle sample transfer, cryo-ultramicrotomy, and a cryo-CLEM system for identification of single particles.
Cryo-EM allows an extremely detailed visualization of complex biomolecules with atomic resolution. For example, it was key to unlocking the secrets of proteins that cause antibiotic resistance and identifying target sites on the surface of the Zika virus for drug treatment. The degree of resolution is made possible by the use of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The main challenge in the development of cryo-EM was to find a way to preserve the original structure of a biological sample under investigation. The preparation of biological samples with cryogenic vitrification was crucial to solving this problem.
Leica Microsystems offers a highly comprehensive product portfolio for preparation of biological, medical, and industrial samples, thus forming a basis to achieve great results. Concentrating on workflow solutions, we provide a product range that is perfectly aligned to all the needs of precise sample preparation for TEM, SEM, and AFM investigations.
About Leica Microsystems
Leica Microsystems develops and manufactures microscopes and scientific instruments for the analysis of microstructures and nanostructures. Ever since the company started as a family business in the nineteenth century, its instruments have been widely recognized for their optical precision and innovative technology. It is one of the market leaders in compound and stereo microscopy, digital microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy with related imaging systems, electron microscopy sample preparation, and surgical microscopes.
Leica Microsystems has seven major plants and product development sites around the world. The company is represented in over 100 countries, has sales and service organizations in 20 countries, and an international network of distribution partners. Its headquarters are located in Wetzlar, Germany.
Lyncean Technologies signs Edge Scientific as representative in Canada
August 7, 2017
Lyncean Technologies, Inc., manufacturer of the Lyncean Compact Light Source (CLS), today announced the signing of Edge Scientific as their exclusive representative in Canada. Edge Scientific will be responsible for growing the Canadian academic and industrial research market for Lyncean.
The Lyncean CLS fits into a typical laboratory space and is suitable for numerous imaging, diffraction, spectroscopy and scattering experiments that until now have only been possible at large, government operated synchrotron facilities. The CLS X-ray beam is characterized as high flux (1e11 ph/s), narrowly divergent (few mrad), nearly monochromatic (few % BW), and continuously energy tunable.
A Lyncean CLS X-ray facility is the ideal complimentary addition to a scientific community, spread across a spacious geographical region, with a single large synchrotron. Samples and experimental setups can be optimized on the CLS to maximize productivity at the synchrotron; samples that are difficult to transport such as in vivo or contaminated samples can be measured locally; and measurement techniques developed at the synchrotron can be implemented on the CLS for high volume sample runs.
“Edge Scientific’s experience with selling and supporting electron, X-ray and helium ion microscopes, and their contacts within the Canadian research and X-ray community make them an ideal representative for Lyncean,” said Lyncean CEO, Dr. Michael Feser.
“We are extremely excited to add the Lyncean Compact Light Source to our portfolio of products. We see the CLS to be the cornerstone of satellite X-ray facilities supporting the technology invented at the Canadian Light Source,” said Stephen Wood, founder and managing director of Edge Scientific.
About Lyncean Technologies
Lyncean Technologies, Inc. is located in Fremont, California and was founded in 2001 to develop the Compact Light Source (CLS), a miniature synchrotron x-ray source based on research performed at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford University. By replacing the conventional “undulator” magnets found in the large synchrotrons by laser technology, the entire device scales down in size by a factor of 200 in the CLS. The first commercial Lyncean CLS was purchased by researchers from the newly formed Center for Advanced Laser Applications in Germany, a joint project of the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich and the Technical University Munich (TUM). The Munich CLS has been in routine operation since April 2015. For more information visit: www.lynceantech.com
About Edge Scientific
Founded in 2005, Edge Scientific is a Canadian company that specializes in nanotechnology solutions. Representing the most respected manufacturers from around the world, we offer the largest portfolio of electron, ion, X-ray microscopes, in-situ technologies & sample preparation equipment.
Edge Scientific provides researchers and facilities with the expertise and equipment to customize their systems by integrating product lines for nanotechnology applications. Our approach is comprehensive; we assess the needs of our customers to develop complete application solutions. We also employ application specialists with the expertise to ensure optimization of the systems we support.
Edge Scientific – Leading nanotechnology solutions.