Shared research facilities are at the heart of the Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery.
We house state-of-the-art facilities for cryo-EM, super-resolution microscopy, mass photometry and mass spectrometry.
In addition to being open for use by all of our Kavli Oxford members, the facilities can be accessed by researchers from outside our institute or outside the University of Oxford.
Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is one the most powerful techniques for studying the structure and architecture of biological systems. It can be used to study molecules – from individual proteins through to large molecular assemblies and designed nano-structures. It can also be used to probe the structures of cells, revealing their architecture and organisation. With the power to provide detailed insight at a nano-level, this technique is valuable for much of what we do in the Kavli INsD.
The Central Oxford Structural Molecular Imaging Centre (COSMIC) cryo-EM facility is housed in our building. It contains a humidity-controlled ‘prep’ room, three electron microscopes and a computational cluster for data processing. A focused ion beam scanning electron microscope allows preparation of thin layers of cellular material for imaging. An experienced team of facility managers provide training and support, offering world-class cryo-EM access.
For details on the facility and how to access it, please see the cryo-EM facility website.
