State-of-the-art equipment at UNR Biochemistry

The Faculty of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences inaugurated a Super-Resolution Microscopy Platform for research and training for the university community and services to public and private institutions in the region.

The Super-Resolution Microscopy Platform features state-of-the-art equipment that allows the resolving power of conventional optical microscopes to be increased to the molecular scale. It thus aims to improve access to these technologies for the academic community, as well as public and private institutions in the region.

This new laboratory, located in the basement of CUAS II, with entrances through Suipacha and San Lorenzo streets, was inaugurated by UNR Rector Franco Bartolacci and Faculty Dean Andrés Sciara, along with Science and Technology authorities, deans, and directors of institutes and research centers. The presentation was led by Mariana Semeniuk, the Department Manager, and Nicolás Blanco, the Scientific Coordinator, who explained the objectives, general guidelines, and policy for using the Platform.

The creation of this Platform was managed by the UNR Science, Technology, and Innovation Department after identifying a gap in the city's microscopy infrastructure, which generated high demand for the limited equipment available. Faced with this situation, researchers from the Health Faculties and Institutes affiliated with UNR/Conicet submitted a proposal to acquire the equipment to the "Equipar Ciencia" program of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation of the Nation in 2022.

With this funding, two Zeiss microscopes were purchased: an LSM 980 with Airyscan 2 and an ELYRA 7 LS. To accommodate the Platform, a space in the building was refurbished to meet strict infrastructure and service requirements to ensure the proper functioning of the equipment, and the technical teams who will operate and manage it were trained.

“The role of the University is to train cutting-edge professionals, and what is needed is teaching with the latest models and technologies. Today, microscopy has given a new direction.”