Tuesday, October 15, 2013

UWS Advanced Characterisation Materials Facility (AMCF) Hosts AMMS and AMAS Technical Meeting

Come along and enjoy Microscopy and Drinks with Guest Speaker, Professor Martin Saunders as the AMC Facility hosts The Australian Microscopy and Microanalysis Society (AMMS) and The Australian Microbeam Analysis Society (AMAS) Technical Meeting:

Title: When nano meets bio: Interdisciplinary applications of electron microscopy

Speaker: Professor Martin Saunders, Acting Director Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia

When: Wednesday 23rd October 2013, 4.30pm-5.30pm Talk by Professor Martin Saunders, 5.30pm to 6.30pm Drinks with Speaker

Where: University of Western Sydney, School of Science and Health, Parramatta North Campus, Building LZ.G.14, Cnr Pemberton Street and Victoria Road, Rydalmere NSW 2116
(Parking is available on the campus for $6)

RSVP: Monday 21st of October to Richard Wuhrer (Richard.Wuhrer@uws.edu.au)

Abstract: When nano meets bio: Interdisciplinary applications of electron microscopy
For the past twenty years, Martin has conducted research involving the development and application of electron microscopy techniques for nano- and atomic-scale structural and chemical analysis. He is always searching for interesting applications of techniques such as electron diffraction, high resolution TEM, STEM, EDS, energy-filtered TEM, electron energy-loss spectroscopy, and many others. Martin has predominantly collaborated with physicists, chemists and engineers, and is increasingly finding that working with biologists is much more rewarding. This allows him to explore novel applications of techniques traditionally applied in the physical sciences.

One area that has proved particularly fruitful relates to projects where the concepts of nanomaterials and nanotechnology meet the world of biology. Martin will illustrate this with examples from recent collaborations involving molluscs that biomineralise iron oxide teeth, drug delivery capsules for neuroscience, and the search for a magnetic sense in pigeons. Extending the theme to dead biology, he will also show you how electron microscopy can provide new insights into the origins of life on earth.

Biography:
Professor Martin Saunders is Acting Director of the Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis at The University of Western Australia (UWA). Originally from the UK, and with a background in Physics, Prof Saunders’ doctoral research involved the development of quantitative electron diffraction techniques. During post-doctoral appointments in the UK, USA and Sweden, this interest in electron microscopy broadened to include all experimental and theoretical aspects of TEM techniques such as EFTEM, EELS, HRTEM, diffraction, x-ray microanalysis, STEM and tomography. Prof Saunders joined UWA in 2001 where he now leads the electron microscopy capability, working with many groups nationally and internationally in both the physical and biological sciences to develop applications of electron microscopy techniques. He is currently President of the Australian Microscopy and Microanalysis Society.

Professor Martin Saunders
Acting Director, Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis
The University of Western Australia
Martin.Saunders@uwa.edu.au
http://www.cmca.uwa.edu.au