A glimpse into another world

Fly legs, high-tech devices and cutting-edge research: Renate Kort has been practising scanning electron microscopy for over 20 years. Even everyday objects unfold their own fascination under the microscope.

Fly legs, ticks, sealed molars and the eyes of a woodlouse - what sounds like ingredients from a witch's kitchen are some of Renate Kort's current exhibits. She uses these unusual objects to teach biology and chemistry students how to work with the university's 250,000 euro scanning electron microscope. Together with Dr Erhard Rhiel, head of the "Electron Microscopy" service unit, she supervises the scanning electron microscopy practical course once a semester. Kort's work gives her insights that many are denied: "It doesn't always have to be the latest research objects that are interesting. It's the little things in everyday life that are fascinating under the electron microscope. On closer inspection, eggshells cooked and uncooked have a completely different structure," explains the trained biological-technical assistant.


However, before the electron microscope can produce relief-like, three-dimensional images of the surface of the objects, they often have to be prepared using a complex procedure: Whether critical point drying with CO2 or simple air drying - the preparation of the objects can take several hours if not days. Kort, who has been practising scanning electron microscopy for over 20 years, is then on hand to provide the scientists with help and advice. She assists with the preparation of the objects, microscopy and maintenance of the complex microscope. She often also takes images herself on commission.


Whereas in the past it was mainly biologists who used the scanning electron microscope, today it is mainly physicists and chemists. But companies also make use of the services of the Electron Microscopy Service Unit: Kort has also prepared and analysed parts of washing machine motors or processed cheese. "That makes the job exciting even after twenty years," explains Kort. It is a challenge every day to prepare the objects according to the requirements and to adjust the electron microscope in such a way that excellent results are achieved - which scientists can use for their complex research.