Department of Pharmaceutical Technology
Faculty of Pharmacy
CORE FACILITY ACTIVITIES
FarmMikroTech – the microscopic imaging laboratory of the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology (Core facility)
Characteristics of conducted research
The purpose of the FarmMikroTech Microscopic Imaging Core Facility is to provide employees and doctoral studies with access to advanced imaging of objects that are the focus of their research interests. The unit also offers assistance and advice in interpreting data received from other laboratories, among other things. The lab was established as a part of the Excellence Initiative – Research University program.
The mission of the laboratory is to disseminate research in microscopic imaging and chemical imaging, and their subsequent correlation with the physical and chemical properties of the objects being studied. Analysis of drug carriers using modern microscopic and spectroscopic methods, which, in combination with classical methods of biopharmaceutical analysis, allow for the development of knowledge in basic sciences that, in a broader perspective, will increase the possibilities of using modern excipients in pharmaceutical technology. There are ongoing collaborations with numerous academic and industrial facilities in the area of drug form imaging. The laboratory also conducted research on biological samples – mainly human skin, including penetration to hair follicles and assessing the effect of chemical agents on the barrier properties of human skin.
Microscopy Imaging Laboratory publications (209 KB)The FarmMikroTech microscopy laboratory is equipped with the following components:
Optical and fluorescence microscopy
- Optical and fluorescence microscope with Z axis drive, polarization and mercury lamp̨ Nikon Eclipse 50i, C. Zeiss with magnifications x4, x10, x40, x100 (Nikon Instruments, Tokyo, Japan)
- Optical and fluorescence microscope Opta-Tech with polarization and mercury lamp, objective magnifications x5, x10, x40, x100 (OPTA-TECH, Warsaw, Poland)
- Stereo microscope X 2000 (OPTA-TECH, Warsaw, Poland)
Digital microscopy
- VHX-7000 digital microscope with x20 to x200 objectives VH-Z20R (Keyence, Tokyo, Japan)
Electron microscopy
- Phenom Pro Generation 5 scanning electron microscope (Thermo Fischer, Einhoven, Netherlands), SED and BSD detector
Chemical imaging
- Confocal microscope with Raman spectroscope – WITec Alpha300 Access (WITec GmbH, Germany) with 785 nm laser, Zeiss objectives (x10, x50, x100)
Specialty preparations
- Microtome and Cryotome (Electronic cryostat Cryotome E, Thermo Electron Corporation, Runcorn, Cheshire, United Kingdom)
a – fluorescence microscopy – imaging of permeation through the hair follicle b – chemical imaging – example distribution map of active substance in polymer matrix c – scanning electron microscope Phenom Pro
Microscopic analysis – examples of services
The work report includes obtained images with a description of the preparation, parameters of the camera, a detailed interpretation of the results.
- Morphology analysis of substances in powder form (Size and shape analysis, size distribution – per FP monograph; SEM and optical microscopy techniques)
- Comparative analysis of substances in powder form (API, excipients – size distribution, shape, identity confirmation; sample analysis against reference sample – SEM techniques, optical microscopy, Raman spectroscopy)
- Characteristics of the morphology of solid oral drug formulations (e.g. tablets, pellets, granules) – surface area and cross-section, layer thickness (SEM and optical microscopy techniques) Distribution of substances in a sample by chemical imaging and correlation with optical image or SEM (solid, semi-solid samples) – chemical mapping (Raman spectroscopy)
CONTACT
Barbara Mikolaszek, Ph.D.
coordinator – infrastructure
supervisor e-mail contact
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5894-7705
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology
Faculty of Pharmacy with OML
Medical University of Gdańsk
Gen. Hallera 107 Street
80-416 Gdańsk
Phone: 58 349 10 85