1st prize 'Scientific Cover Image 2008'

The EMBO Journal Cover Contest 2008 has a winner! A coloured SEM image of Urediniomycete spores prepared by Martin Oeggerli, received the most praise from the jury and was selected as the winner in the "scientific" section of the contest, from among more than 700 submissions: "I found this spectacular situation in the central part of a fungal fruit body while exploring the sudden death of a tiny plant that used to grow just outside my front door", writes the author. "Apparently, a fungus had destroyed it entirely within a few days. The spores are just about 4.3µm in diameter." © Martin Oeggerli / www.Micronaut.ch, 2008. All rights reserved. 

Switzerland at it's best: Flüelen

Flüelen is a very beautiful spot and I love the get there not only because an SEM is waiting for me but also to meet my dear colleagues and friends Edith and Hermann Zgraggen. Expert microscopists & good people is not the norm. You can bet your life on that!! (please note the two !). Image: © Martin Oeggerli ® Micronaut 2008.

Mr. Goldfinger

Biological samples are usually non-conductive and need a thin layer of gold or gold-paladium on top. Image: © Martin Oeggerli / ® Micronaut.ch 2008. 

critical step during CPD

Critical Point Drying (CPD) has his perfidies, e.g. the pressure must be released very very carefully... Image: © Martin Oeggerli / ® Micronaut 2008. 

lecture at the University Hospital Basel

This large screen rocks! Micronaut explains scanning-electron-microscopical techniques and presents an overview on his work at the Labmed-annual meeting (University of Basel, conference hall, ZLF). Earlier on this year, I gave another lecture for the Labmed members just across the street, at the Institute of Pathology. Many thanks to Vera Basler for the invitation! Image © Martin Oeggerli / www.Micronaut.ch 2007. 

Exhibition Läufelfingen

Highly concentrated while explaining fixation and imaging techniques at an exhibition in Läufelfingen, which also included works of the artists: Sabine Gysin, Mirka Maffi, and designer Bernhard Strub (b-form). 

..."dissertations and presents"...

...ooops - this dubious sticker shines on the door of the official place where graduates of the University of Basel deliver their thesis. I'm standing back in amazement. Image: © Martin Oeggerli 2007.