🧊 Big Science, Cool Tech:
Cryo-Electron Microscopy Is Coming to UCD
A transformative leap for molecular and structural biology at UCD is on the horizon with the arrival of a state-of-the-art cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) unit, supported by the Science Foundation Ireland Research Infrastructure Programme and co-funded by UCD. With a total investment of €4.3 million, this national facility will place UCD at the cutting edge of biomolecular imaging and offer extraordinary opportunities to researchers in the School of Biomolecular & Biomedical Science (SBBS).
Set to be fully operational in 2026, the cryo-EM platform will be housed in the Conway Institute Imaging Core Facility and includes two main instruments: a cryo-FIB-SEM and a 200kV cryo-TEM. Together, these instruments enable researchers to image vitrified biological samples—preserving them in a near-native state—and investigate their structures at near-atomic resolution.
🔬 What is Cryo-EM?
Cryo-electron microscopy is a revolutionary technique that allows scientists to study the 3D structures of biomolecules without the need for crystallization. By rapidly freezing samples in a glass-like state (vitrification), cryo-EM maintains biological integrity while achieving high-resolution imaging of proteins, complexes, and even whole cells.
For protein scientists, the 200kV cryo-TEM can resolve cytosolic and membrane proteins larger than 50 kDa to resolutions of 2.0–3.5 Å, offering unprecedented detail. For cell biologists, the technique enables exploration of molecular mechanisms within their native cellular contexts — ideal for uncovering the functional dynamics of large complexes and organelles.
🧬 Applications Across SBBS and Beyond
The potential applications for SBBS researchers are vast and exciting. Cryo-EM will benefit fields such as:
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Membrane and protein trafficking
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Motor protein–cytoskeletal interactions
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Mitochondrial structure and dynamics
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Extracellular vesicle and virus biology
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Host–virus interactions
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Retinal biology and neurobiology
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Chromatin and epigenetic architecture
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Biomaterial and medical device integration
Whether you're studying viral pathogenesis, molecular motors, or nanostructured therapies, this infrastructure opens a door to a much deeper understanding of biological form and function.
🏛️ A National Resource at UCD
This is not just a win for UCD — it’s a national infrastructure resource, intended to support researchers across Ireland. The installation will be part of a wider strategy to strengthen Ireland’s capabilities in advanced bioimaging and structural biology, in line with the goals of the UCD Strategy 2030 and the SFI Infrastructure Roadmap.
The equipment will be available to trained users and supported by expert staff, with training, consultation, and sample preparation services to be made available through the Conway Imaging Core.
📢 Stay Informed
Information sessions and hands-on workshops will be announced in the coming months. These will cover sample preparation, data acquisition, and structure determination, giving researchers a full understanding of how to integrate cryo-EM into their work.
If you are interested in learning more or exploring future projects using the cryo-EM facility, please contact:
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Professor Oliver Blacque ((opens in a new window)oliver.blacque@ucd.ie)
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Dr. Dimitri Scholz ((opens in a new window)dimitri.scholz@ucd.ie)
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Dr. Jonathan Bailey ((opens in a new window)jonathan.bailey@ucd.ie)
You can also read the announcement on the UCD Research website:
🔗 Minister Lawless Announces €177m Research Infrastructure Investment
Watch this (very small, very cold) space — UCD’s cryo-EM future is about to take shape.