The µA microscopy technology centre is an analytical facility open to all scientific and technical staff from public and private research laboratories, as well as to various regional, national and international partners.
It has a range of photonic microscopy and electron microscopy equipment offering a wide range of analysis tools, from the whole organism to ultra-structural analysis of cells.
One of its specialities is based on high-resolution microscopy analysis for the detection of plant viruses and its expertise in viral diagnostics in this field. As a result, in 2024, the cluster became part of the PROPHYLE platform, whose activities focus on plant aetiology and protection.

Photonic microscopy

Equipment: binocular loupes, optical microscopes (phase contrast, polarised light, epifluorescence), confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM)

Electron microscopy

Equipment: Transmission electron microscope (TEM) equipped for cryo and tomography, field effect scanning electron microscope (FEG SEM).

Under the responsibility of Isabelle Bornard, µA is housed in the Plant Pathology unit (UR0407) located in Avignon, on the Saint Maurice site of the INRAE Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur centre.

The microscopy centre offers a catalogue of research services in a wide range of fields, covering a broad spectrum of subjects (animal, plant, microbial, emulsions,….).

Access to the equipment is possible either under the responsibility of the centre's staff or independently after prior training.

Use of the µA Microscopy division's equipment is governed by the rules defined on the PROPHYLE platform, in terms of pricing and access methods. Pricing is calculated on a full-cost basis and is defined according to the user's affiliation.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the person responsible for the technology concerned:

• For photonic microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM): isabelle.bornard@inrae.fr
• For scanning electron microscopy (SEM): thierry.meylheuc@inrae.fr