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Dr Christopher Von Ruhland

Dr Christopher Von Ruhland

Facility Lead (Electron and Light Microscopy), Central Biotechnology Services

Email
vonruhlandcj@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)29 2074 2132
Campuses
1LB5 71, Main Hospital Building, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN

Overview

I provide a biological electron and light microscopy service and advice on experimental design to researchers at Cardiff University, other academic institutions, the NHS, and industry. Since beginning my microscopy career in 1997, I have examined and analysed a wide variety of samples, including:

  • Tissue such as kidney, brain, skin, fat and bone
  • Cultured and free living cells
  • Extracellular vesicles
  • Mineral fibres and nanoparticles

My technological research interests include:

  • Improving tissue processing techniques and developing novel approaches to sample preparation.
  • Enhancing the sensitivity of immunohistochemical staining using marker amplification, and the development of novel markers with a view to automated single molecule detection at the light microscopic level
  • Designing novel embedding resins and staining techniques for use in SEM tomography

Biography

Career overview

2016 to present Facility Lead Electron and Light Microscopy Facility, Central Biotechnology Services, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University

2012 to 2016 Deputy Facility Lead Medical Microscopy Sciences, Central Biotechnology Services, School of Medicine, Cardiff University

2006 to 2012 Deputy Director Medical Microscopy Sciences, Pathology, School of Medicine, Cardiff University

1997 to 2006 Research Technician Electron Microscopy Unit, Pathology, School of Medicine, Cardiff University

1995 to 1997 Research Technician Institute of Nephrology, University of Wales College of Medicine

1985 to 1995 Laboratory Technician Institute of Nephrology, University of Wales College of Medicine

Education and Qualifications

PhD Marker Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Cardiff University

MPhil Cyclosporine Nephrotoxicity, University of Wales College of Medicine

MIBiol Macromolecular Biology, South Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education

BSc (hons) Biological Sciences Plymouth Polytechnic

HD(TEC) Applied Biology North East Surrey College of Technology

Professional memberships

Fellow of the Royal Microscopical Society

Committees and reviewing

Member of the Human Tissue Research Governance Committee

Member of the Technicians Commitment Working Group

Member of the Technical Career Pathway Working Group

Member of the Technical Managers Forum

Publications

We are currently unable to retrieve the list of publications. Visit our institutional repository.

Supervision

Past projects

Engagement

I am engaged in collaborations with the Electron Microscopy Unit, Department of Cellular Pathology, Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust, including:

1. The effects of tissue processing for electron microscopy on the final thickness of the glomerular basement membrane, measurement of which is important in the diagnosis and staging of glomerular diseases.

2.Developing an immunoelectron microscopical assay to positively identify SAR-COV-2 in the tissue of patients with chronic viral infection or 'Long Covid'