Training Dates 2025

To attend a training course you will need to submit a CMM Project Creation Form on our instrument booking system RIMS.  New projects are reviewed every Monday during our management meeting.  Following the meeting you will receive an email from CMM that provides your project reference number and information about the onboarding process i.e. your PITSCHI training (getting your images off the instrument), lab safety inductions and instrument training.  Our Client Information page provides detailed information on accessing CMM facilities.

If you are undertaking your first block training course in SEM and TEM then you must commit to a training and skills enhancement credit fee of $460.  The credit will include 10 hours of access time and can be used for your research project to enhance your knowledge.  The credit is available for 3 months from your initial training and is not transferable to other users or techniques.

One to one training sessions (where CMM staff assist a client on an instrument) will be charged per hour by calculating the instrument time as well as staff time.

Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) Training

Please contact cmm@uq.edu.au if you would like to attend TEM training.

All TEM training courses run across one to two weeks with some sample preparation (if required); total participation time about 20 hours. Course details can be found via CMM Techniques.

Location and time: AIBN (Bldg 75) Level 1 Seminar Room, 9am - 11am.

The dates for 2025 TEM training with an Introduction Lecture to the basics of TEM are listed below.

This is a lecture followed by a discussion with new clients on their project, their requirements and expectations and a practical TEM introduction at the AIBN lab the week after, starting on the Monday.

Details will be communicated with applicants a week upfront.

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Training

Please contact Eunice Grinan (e.grinan@uq.edu.au) if you are interested in SEM training.

The SEM training aims to provide participants with knowledge of and experience with Scanning Electron Microscopy processes. The course provides opportunities for participants to develop skills and competency in the operation of a scanning electron microscope to produce images and X-ray analysis. By the completion of the course, participants will have clear direction on how to best operate the microscope to achieve their research goals and will be able to operate the microscope independently.

If you are interested in SEM training, please complete your Pitschi training and OHS inductions before contacting Eunice (e.grinan@uq.edu.au).

Training workshops available at the Protein crystallography lab

Please contact Kasun Athukorala if you wish to book a workshop.

All three workshops outlined below are hands-on; have a maximum of 4 places and each take about 2 hours.

Glucose Isomerase is used in the workshops, but users may bring their own protein if they wish.

The courses are run on an ad hoc basis, in most circumstances they can be run with a weeks’ notice.

Workshop 1
Introduction to Crystallisation Condition Screening

This workshop is essential for all users. 

Participants will be introduced to the basic use of the facilities and will:

• design a screening experiment in RockMaker
• set up the screening experiment on the Mosquito
• image the experiment in the RockImager
• inspect and score the images collected

Workshop 2
Optimisation of Crystals

This workshop is recommended for those wanting to make the most of the available facilities.

Participants will optimise a screening outcome by:

• using the search function in RockMaker to analyse screening results
• designing an optimisation experiment in RockMaker
• using the Tecan to prepare the optimisation experiment

Workshop 3
Condition Screening with Seeding

This workshop will allow uses to attempt crystal optimisation using seed stock.

Participants will gain experience in:

• the preparation of a protein crystal seed stock
• the use of the Mosquito to set-up a screening with seeding experiment