Portugal received the first cryogenic electron microscope. The inauguration of the equipment, which is installed at the INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, in Braga, will make it possible to investigate what are considered the main diseases of the 21st century, such as cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, as well as viral infections and bacterial resistance to antibiotics.
The session was also the moment chosen for the launch of the National Network of Advanced Electron Microscopy for Health and Life Sciences – CryoEM-PT, in which the Universities of Minho, Porto, Coimbra, Beira Interior, Lisbon, Evora and Algarve.
The equipment, which had a total cost of 2.5 million euros, was acquired 85% through CCDR-North funds and 15% by INL.
For the interim general director of the INL, Paulo Freitas, this is a “historic moment” for science in Portugal, since it will allow researchers who were looking for this type of infrastructure abroad to carry out their research in Portugal.
INL’s next step will be to expand the CryoEM-PT network and integrate it into a European consortium in the area.
The equipment, which can make observations up to 50 million times, that is, at an almost atomic level, will be essential in advancing studies and therapies for diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, viral infections such as SARS-CoV-2. and bacterial resistance to antibiotics.
According to the coordinator of the CryoEM-PT network, Paulo Ferreira, this microscope makes it possible to “observe molecular structures without destroying them”, since they are cooled down to around -200 ºC.
This state-of-the-art microscope is installed in the basement of the INL building. The reason is your sensitivity. For example, the passage of a truck 1 km away can generate vibrations that do not allow its use.
Paulo Ferreira believes that the existence of this device in Portugal can attract not only doctoral students, but also renowned researchers from other countries.
In Eastern Europe, according to the coordinator, this equipment does not yet exist. In countries such as the United Kingdom and Germany, the machines exist, however, there is also a high demand, which translates into few hours of use.
The president of the FCT – Foundation for Science and Technology, Madalena Alves, was present at the session, where she spoke about the National Roadmap for Research Infrastructures. It is in this document where Portuguese researchers can find equipment like this microscope and thus generate more value within our borders.
The new supercomputer, the Deucalion, will soon be presented on Portuguese soil. This will be part of a National Center for Advanced Computing, under construction.
Source: TSF
