We develop and apply electron microscopy methods for biological, hydrated and beam-sensitive materials. Our work includes cryogenic sample preparation, SEM/STEM and 4D-STEM, quantitative imaging, correlative cryo-SEM/Raman microscopy, cathodoluminescence and electron-detector development.
Most of the group took part in the 21st International Microscopy Congress (IMC21) in Liverpool, UK.
The whole group attended Microscopy 2026, the annual conference of the Czechoslovak Microscopy Society, in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm.
Kateřina Mrázová successfully defended her PhD dissertation.
Our work combines method development with applications in biological and soft-matter microscopy. We focus on preparation and imaging approaches that preserve specimen structure and allow quantitative analysis.
Cryo-SEM, high-pressure freezing, freeze-fracture and related workflows for hydrated biological and soft-matter samples. In collaboration with the Cryogenics and Superconductivity Group, we develop cryogenic accessories for sample-preparation instruments, especially freeze-fracture systems, enabling controlled fracturing at lower temperatures, extending towards liquid-helium conditions, and studies of temperature-dependent fracture behaviour.
Quantitative STEM and 4D-STEM in SEM and on our NION UltraSTEM, including mass and thickness measurements, nanobeam diffraction, ptychography and optimized preparation of biological and soft-matter samples. Together with the Polymer Morphology group at the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry CAS, we develop STEMDIFF and EDIFF software for 4D-STEM and powder electron diffraction data.
Correlative and semi-correlative workflows combining electron microscopy with Raman microspectroscopy and other optical and spectroscopic signals. We also develop microfluidic platforms for sample handling and high-pressure freezing, in collaboration with the Biophotonics and Optofluidics and Applied and Integrated Photonics groups.
Development and characterization of electron detectors for SEM and STEM, with particular emphasis on single-electron counting using very fast scintillators. We study scintillator response, light collection, detector speed, noise and quantitative detector performance.
We study cathodoluminescence of scintillating and luminescent materials under electron excitation, including emission efficiency, spectra and decay kinetics. Current work focuses on fast scintillators, material and surface properties, and low-energy electron detection.
The group works across sample preparation, microscopy, instrumentation and data processing.
Selected research, technology-development and infrastructure projects that underpin our work in cryogenic microscopy, quantitative STEM/4D-STEM, correlative microscopy and electron detection.
The instruments listed below are those most frequently used in our work. For the full infrastructure and information on access, see the EMRS Core Facility.
Main equipment for cryogenic and conventional preparation of biological and soft-matter samples.
Shared instrumentation used across several research groups.
For additional instrumentation, technical details and access information, see the EMRS Core Facility website.
EMRS Core Facility ↗We welcome students interested in thesis projects related to our research. Topics are defined individually, usually in connection with ongoing projects and available instrumentation.
Projects may involve cryo-SEM, SEM/STEM and 4D-STEM, quantitative microscopy, correlative microscopy, biological and soft-matter imaging, cathodoluminescence, detector research, or image and diffraction-data analysis.
We have long-standing experience supervising Bachelor’s and Master’s projects in cooperation with Masaryk University and Brno University of Technology. Our projects are particularly suitable for students of Biophysics and Microscopy at the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University; biomedical technology and engineering programmes at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication, BUT; chemistry, food and biotechnology-related programmes at the Faculty of Chemistry, BUT; and Physical Engineering and Nanotechnology at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, BUT. Students from other related programmes are equally welcome.
The group combines electron microscopy, cryogenic methods, biological sample preparation, detector research and computational imaging.
Our work covers electron microscopy, cryogenic preparation, detector and instrumentation development, and computational analysis, from specimen preparation through to quantitative data processing.
Several group members are also involved in the Electron Microscopy & Raman Spectroscopy Core Facility, which supports open-access microscopy, training and collaborative projects.
EMRS Core Facility →
Selected recent publications reflecting the group’s work in diffraction analysis, 4D-STEM, cryogenic microscopy and biological electron microscopy.
A substantial part of our group is involved in the Core Facility Electron Microscopy & Raman Spectroscopy (EMRS). The facility provides access to advanced electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, image analysis and expert support for academic and industrial users, and is part of the Czech-BioImaging research infrastructure.
We collaborate on projects involving hydrated biological material, beam-sensitive specimens, quantitative mass or thickness measurements, and multimodal microscopy.
The group contributes to practical training in advanced SEM, cryo-SEM, Raman correlation, sample preparation and computational 4D-STEM.
For scientific collaboration, Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis projects, prospective PhD studies, or questions about our methods, please contact the group leader.