M&M 2016 — Technologists' Forum

X30 Technologists' Forum — Analysis of Real Data and Recognition of Artifacts

Cathy Johnson, Caroline Miller, Frank Macaluso
Critical to every researcher and technologist is the ability to identify and interpret data correctly. Incorrect and incomplete specimen preparation often results in compromised data, without any perception by the end user. This symposium will allow you to improve your skills at recognizing both preparation and imaging artifacts that too often occur in today's published research. Guidance on improving analysis data will also be offered. This Tech Forum Platform session will review artifact identification in various Cryo SEM and TEM techniques, in addition to room temperature imaging and analysis.

Technologists' Forum Special Topic: Image Analysis and a Practical Approach to Current Software Solutions and Their Applications

Frank Macaluso, Cathy Johnson, Caroline Miller
Image analysis is an integral component of every imaging experiment for extracting quantitative information for meaningful presentation of image data. Freeware and commercial software packages are available for a myriad of applications including: finding shapes, counting objects, measuring object properties, particle tracking, deconvolution, single particle reconstruction, morphometric analysis, 3D visualization and 4D quantitative analysis. This session will feature a practical approach to current software solutions and their applications.

X32 Technologists' Forum, Roundtable Discussion on Artifacts

E. Ann Ellis, Lee Cohen-Gould, Vicky Bryg
This forum will be a continuation and further discussion of the artifacts and the interpretation of micrographs as it applies to material, biological or cryo samples. Panelists will include Core Facility directors and speakers from the special topic session who will be able to respond to questions from participants about how to recognize artifacts, determine their cause(s) and correct procedures. Participants will thus be able to take this information home with them to successfully deal with these problems in their own labs and will be better able to explain the importance of following proper SOPs to their clients.