Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA) is an analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition of a solid sample at the micrometer scale. EPMA is based on the principles of Xray emission spectroscopy, and it combines the imaging capabilities of an electron microscope with the quantitative elemental analysis capabilities of an X-ray spectrometer. The technique is widely employed in various fields, such as materials science, geology, metallurgy, and semiconductor research, for studying both the composition and microstructure of materials.

Ehtewish H, Mesleh A, Ponirakis G, De la Fuente A, Parray A, Bensmail I, Abdesselem HB, Ramadan M, Khan S, Chandran M, Ayadathil R , Elsotouhy A, Own A, Al Hamad H, Abdelalim EM , Decock J , Alajez NM , Albagha O , Thornalley PJ , Arredouani I , Malik R, and El-Agnaf OMA. Blood-Based Proteomic Profiling Identifies Potential Biomarker Candidates and Pathogenic Pathways in Dementia. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 8117.

The Gatan Precision Ion Polishing System II is used to mill dimpled samples to electron transparency as a cheaper alternative to FIB milling. It is also used to clean unwanted redeposition off of TEM lamellae made by FIB.

FT-IR stands for Fourier Transform InfraRed, the preferred method of infrared spectroscopy. In infrared spectroscopy, IR radiation is passed through a sample. Some of the infrared radiation is absorbed by the sample and some of it is passed through (transmitted). The resulting spectrum represents the molecular absorption and transmission, creating a molecular fingerprint of the sample. Like a fingerprint, no two unique molecular structures produce the same infrared spectrum. This makes infrared spectroscopy useful for several types of analysis.

Yahya Abdi I, Bartl M, Dakna M, Abdesselem H, Majbour N, Trenkwalder C, El Agnaf O, Mollenhauer B. Cross-sectional proteomic expression in Parkinson’s disease-related proteins in drug-naïve patients vs healthy controls with longitudinal clinical follow-up. Neurobiology of Disease. MS NBD-22-775R. Accepted Jan 2023.

El-Agnaf O, Bensmail I, Al-Nesf M. A.Y, Flynn J, Taylor M, Majbour N, Abdi I.Y, Vaikath N, Farooq, Vemulapalli PB, Schmidt F, Ouararhni K, Al-Siddiqi H, Arredouani A, Wijten P, Al-Maadheed M, Mohamed-Ali V, Decock J, Abdesselem HB. Uncovering a neurological protein signature for severe COVID-19. Neurobiology of Disease, 2023.

Areej Mesleh, Hanan Ehtewish, Katie Lennard, Houari Abdesselem, Fouad Al- Shaban, Julie Decock, Nehad M. Alajez, Abdelilah Arredouani, Mohamed M. Emara, Omar Albagha, Lawrence w. Stanton, Sara A. Abdulla, Jonathan M. Blackburn, Omar M.A. El-Agnaf. High-throughput Autoantibody Screening Identifies Differentially Abundant Autoantibodies in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, section Brain Disease Mechanisms. Accepted, Sep 2023.

Sectioning is a technique used to reduce specimen size for easier handling and to fit in other equipment. Buehler IsoMet 5000 Linear Precision Saw The IsoMet 5000 linear precision saw is capable of automated and repeatable sectioning of hard materials. It also includes a smart cut function where it reduces the feed rate when hitting a particularly hard section to prevent damaging the sample and the machine.

Schmidt F, Abdesselem HB, Suhre K, Sohail MU, Al-Nesf M, Bensmail I, Mashod F, Sarwath H, Bernhardt J, Tan T.M, Morris P.E, Schenck E.J, Price D, Vaikath N.N, Mohamed-Ali V, Al-Maadheed M, Arredouani A, Decock J, Blackburn J.M, Choi A.M.K, and El-Agnaf O.M. Auto-Immunoproteomics Analysis of COVID-19 ICU Patients Revealed Increased Levels of Autoantibodies Related to Male Reproductive System. Front Physiol. 2023 Jul 14;14:1203723. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1203723. eCollection 2023. PMID: 37520825.

Oxford Instruments™ RF sputtering system can sputter on planar substrates maximum up to 8” wafer in size, hence, it keeps the space of accommodating various substrate sizes as per application needs. The system has four RF magnetron with a dedicated RF power supply. The system has three Mass Flow Controllers (MFCs) that are currently being used for the sputter gas. Generally, in a sputtering tool, a permanent magnet is set up behind the cathode-which is in contact with the loaded target to create electronic traps.