The Institute of Biophysics organized the “Step into Freezing Times —High Pressure Freezing Workshop”, in cooperation with Leica Microsystems company, from 27 to 31 October, 2014 at the institute’s Biological Imaging Center.  

High pressure freezing and freeze substitution technique is commonly used in biological electron microscopy sample preparation. Compared to conventional sample preparation methods, high pressure freezing and freeze substitution can preserve biological sample’s natural ultra-microstructure and therefore are more widely used. However, these complex methods are not easily handled by everyone. Users have to fully understand their principle and master a series of processing skills before obtaining ideal samples from transmission electron microscope and other electron microscope.

The workshop aims to provide theoretical knowledge and practical training for EM users. It consists of presentations by experts and hands-on training sessions. More than 50 researchers participated the workshop. Many of them expressed their hope that more this kind of workshop should be organized in the future to benefit more EM users.