- The aim is to maximise the use of state‑of‑the‑art equipment and to launch collaborative projects within the Valencian Community
- This approach makes it possible to reconstruct tissues in 3D and examine samples with nanometric precision
Alicante (13.10.24). The Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL) and the Príncipe Felipe Research Centre (CIPF) in Valencia have reached an agreement to strengthen research through the use of electron microscopy, a scientific technique used to obtain high‑resolution images of the internal ultrastructure of cells.
This project is brought to life through the creation of the CIPF–ISABIAL Joint Electron Microscopy Unit, an evolution of the former Electron Microscopy platform of the Alicante-based research institute, which aims to promote excellence in research and high-impact scientific results in the Valencian Community.
Before the creation of the Joint Electron Microscopy Unit, ISABIAL already had an electron microscopy platform that, since its inception, has significantly improved the diagnostic capacity of the Doctor Balmis General University Hospital of Alicante. However, through its partnership with the Príncipe Felipe Research Centre (CIPF) in Valencia, this new research unit gains greater scope, combining the equipment and specialised expertise of both institutions.
This initiative not only expands technological and human capabilities, but also strengthens networked research, enabling the development of more complex scientific projects with global impact.
Likewise, among the objectives set by ISABIAL and the CIPF for this unit is the promotion of joint projects in the field of electron microscopy, as well as collaboration in organising events of mutual interest, such as training activities, congresses, symposia, workshops or conferences, among others. The unit also aims to strengthen the training of scientific and technical staff.
Scientific leads
Each research centre will have a scientific lead, which in the case of ISABIAL will be the researcher and doctor José Antonio Gómez, who highlighted that this unit “will allow us to share equipment and expertise in order to access the latest technologies and workflows in electron microscopy and the preparation of biological samples, including high‑pressure freezing and automated serial ultrathin sectioning”.
At the CIPF, the scientific lead is Dr Luke Noon, who noted that ISABIAL “has the latest technology and expertise in scanning electron microscopy, which will be used to acquire the 3D images, while the CIPF has experts in targeting (correlating) electron microscopy to the point of interest, as well as a powerful computing node with a computational biology unit that will be used to analyse and store massive datasets”.
“The aim is to generate an online interactive repository of 3D digital biopsies that can be explored by both scientists and pathologists to gain new and more accurate insights into human diseases”, concluded the CIPF GenT excellence researcher.
Fast and accurate diagnosis
The CIPF–ISABIAL joint electron microscopy unit offers advanced equipment that enables the production of high‑quality images. These images are essential for the Pathology Department of the Doctor Balmis General University Hospital of Alicante, as they facilitate the accurate diagnosis of various conditions such as renal glomerulopathies, epidermolysis bullosa, ciliary dyskinesia, myopathies, among others, providing precise diagnoses and guiding specific treatments.
This technique is also highly useful for renal biopsies and for diagnosing hereditary diseases. In addition, it is used to reach definitive diagnoses of skin and neuromuscular disorders.
Until the creation of the ISABIAL platform, the Doctor Balmis General University Hospital of Alicante had to send samples to other centres with similar equipment in order to obtain accurate diagnoses. With the establishment of the platform at ISABIAL, the diagnostic process has been streamlined and patient care within the Alicante–Hospital General Health Department has improved. This advancement has not only optimised the hospital’s resources but has also contributed to more efficient and timely medical care for patients.
Scientific applications
Volume electron microscopy (vEM) is a new and powerful revolutionary technology that enables the digital three‑dimensional reconstruction of cells and structures within a tissue biopsy. Like traditional electron microscopy, it provides exquisite resolution, but this new approach also allows navigation inside the sample in 3D, offering radically new insights into human anatomy and disease.
The vEM technique is transforming our understanding of the human brain and, in 2023, was recognised by Nature as one of the seven technologies to watch in the future. This rapidly developing methodology faces two major challenges. One is accurately targeting the technique to the correct location within an organ, while the second is managing the enormous volume of data it generates.
To address these challenges, ISABIAL and the CIPF are joining forces to combine infrastructure and expertise. The Alicante institute has the latest technology and know‑how in scanning electron microscopy to acquire the 3D images, while the Valencia centre has experts in sample targeting and a powerful computing node with a computational biology unit that will be used to analyse and store the resulting data.
