Electron Microscopy

The Electron Microscopy department offers an extensive range of specialist services from within its laboratory at the University Hospital of Wales.  It is part of Cellular Pathology and works alongside Cardiff University facilities.

The department currently processes approximately 1200 specimens per year, and is the only diagnostic electron microscopy unit in Wales.

What is Electron Microscopy?

Electron microscopy (EM) is the study of specimens using an electron microscope. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) operates on the same basic principles as the light microscope but uses electrons instead of light and is therefore capable of much higher magnifications.  It can see much smaller objects and cell structure (ultrastructure) in fine detail which can be magnified many thousands of times.

It is an important medical diagnostic method, particularly in the fields of kidney disease, muscle pathology, tumour pathology, neuropathology, paediatric pathology, storage disorders, studies of ciliary structure, parasitic protozoan infections in AIDS, viral gastroenteritis and viral infections of the skin.

Diagnostic EM requires skilled interpretation of the images seen under the electron microscope.

Find out more about our services, referral and pricing guidelines, and instructions on how to send a sample.