I was pleased to attend the grand reopening of the Electron Microscopy Core in the Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Health building. This suite of world-class electron microscopes allows Mizzou researchers to magnify and analyze materials at the highest possible resolution. Thanks to our partners at Thermo Fisher Scientific, the core now has even more powerful equipment that further expands our capabilities for discovery.

Our faculty are using these instruments to create important breakthroughs. Zachary Berndsen, assistant professor in biochemistry, utilized the Titan Krios cryo-EM microscope to learn more about a specific protein that is central to lipid and cholesterol metabolism. His research helps us better understand the causes of heart disease and discover possible treatments.

Mizzou continually invests in both material and biological sciences research, providing a strong foundation for the interdisciplinary collaborations needed to solve the world’s grand challenges. Min Su, the director of the Electron Microscopy Core, and his team are always ready to consult with faculty on how they can use the core’s powerful instruments to advance their work and make a difference.

The Electron Microscopy Core is one of the best in the nation and an incredible resource for our community. We look forward to seeing how Mizzou researchers use these powerful tools to create new innovations with impact.

— Mun