Microbial Ultrastructure

The Tocheva lab focuses on bridging the scales between individual proteins, macromolecular assemblies and neighboring cells. By applying new correlative super-resolution fluorescence light microscopy (fLM) and cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) we aim to generate much needed insight into the structure and function of major macromolecular assemblies such as the bacterial cell envelope, morphological changes due to stress responses, and DNA transfer and segregation machines. To study thicker biological samples and in situ host-pathogen interactions, we are employing cryo-FIB milling in combination with the above-listed approaches.

We are equipped with all the latest and greatest equipment for molecular biology, microbiology (including Biosafety Level 2 pathogens), biochemistry, and light and electron microscopy. The lab houses a super-resolution confocal fLM equipped with a cryo-stage. In addition, we have full access to the HRMEM facility at UBC housing a 300kV Titan Krios TEM equipped with an energy filter and a direct electron detector at https://cryoem.med.ubc.ca/, as well as the BioImaging Facility at UBC housing the Zeiss CrossBeam 350 for cryo-FIB milling SEM volume imaging https://www.bioimaging.ubc.ca/.

The lab is supported by grants from Foundation for Innovation (CFI), Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR), Natural Science & Engineering Research Center (NSERC) and Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.