Researcher awarded for globally renowned centre

Barbro Hammarström and Bo Hammarström visiting Umeå Centre for Electron Microscopy, UCEM.

ImageAnna Shevtsova

Umeå Centre for Electron Microscopy, UCEM, is one of Sweden's best-equipped facilities for electron microscopy, with seven different microscopes for high-resolution imaging of molecules, cells and surfaces.

“The reason why we use electrons in particular is because their wavelength is so small, which means that you can get very high resolution – you can see molecules down to the atomic level,” says Linda Sandblad, who is the coordinator of the centre.

These are methods and instruments that are in demand internationally

UCEM can be described as a research infrastructure where there are labs, advanced instruments and knowledgeable staff, so-called staff scientists, that researchers throughout Sweden – and the world – can use.

“At present, ten people are employed by the centre and they help other researchers to manage the equipment, which is very advanced. This means that the researchers learn the methods and can get results from the unique equipment. All research areas are welcome here, even if we are best at life sciences,” says Linda Sandblad.

ImageImageMattias Pettersson

With the help of external funding from, for example, the Wallenberg Foundations and the Kempe Foundations, new methods for electron microscopy can be constantly developed in the centre.

“These are methods and instruments that are in demand internationally. Since 2016, the centre is not only linked to Umeå University, it’s a national centre,” says Linda Sandblad.

A number of projects within UCEM are driving the development forward for even higher resolution, better image quality and smart tools for displaying images digitally.

“All of this provides a greater understanding of the biological processes we cannot see with the eye. And in addition, it opens the doors to new innovations in industry.”

At the Annual Celebration at Umeå University, Linda Sandblad was awarded the Bo and Barbro Hammarström Prize of SEK 100,000.

The motivation reads:

Associate Professor Linda Sandblad receives the award for her outstanding contributions in the establishment of the current Umeå Centre for Electron Microscopy (UCEM), a joint resource for research and higher education in electron microscopy technology.

“I'm really happy about the award. Thanks to our centre, very good research has been conducted with good results. I am also proud that the centre is inclusive and invites researchers from all over the world to Umeå,” says Linda Sandblad.