Scientists receive a boost for research with cutting-edge imaging methods

Molecular 3D model of a toxin (diameter eight nanometres) from cryogenic electron microscope images (in the background). Such studies will soon be possible at the University of Münster. Maximilian Rüttermann - AG Gatsogiannis The German Research Foundation and State of NRW grant Münster University 7.5 million euros for a cryo-electron microscope Many scientists have longed for it and now it is coming to be: following approval of their application to the German Research Foundation's "Large-scale Research Equipment" funding programme, researchers from the University of Münster will receive equipment for high-performance cryogenic electron microscopy. The equipment will enable the researchers to make molecular processes visible - for example, in human cells - and to examine particles such as viruses and synthetic nanostructures three-dimensionally, down to their individual atoms. The German Research Foundation and the State of North Rhine-Westphalia are providing a total of 7.5 million euros for the preparatory equipment and the latest-generation high-resolution microscope, which will be located in a purpose-built laboratory at the Center for Soft Nanoscience (SoN). Prof Christos Gatsogiannis from the Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics is mainly responsible for the new cryo-electron microscopy equipment at the University of Münster. WWU - Lukas Walbaum So far, there is no comparable cryogenic electron microscope at Münster University.