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Photo of Chris Frethem


Chris Frethem

Electron Microscopy Specialist

(612) 624-4652


Education

B.S.   Biology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN


Professional Experience

2003 - present Scientist, I.T. Characterization Facility, U of M
1993 - 2003 Scientist, Dept. of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, U of M
1984 - 1993 Associate Scientist, Dept. of Cell Biology and Neuro,. U of M
1978 - 1984 Jr. Scientist, Dept. of Anatomy, U of M
1977 - 1978 Pr. Lab Tech, Dept. of Surgical Pathology, U of M

Professional Societies

  • Minnesota Microscopy Society
  • Microscopy Society of America

Publications

  • Erlandsen, S., Chen, Y., Frethem, C., Detry, J., and Wells, C., 2003, High Resolution Backscatter Electron Imaging of Colloidal Gold in LVSEM, J. Microscopy
  • Erlandsen, S.L., Y. Chen, C. Ottenwaelter, and C. Frethem., (2001) Cryo Field Emission SEM. BioTechniques, 31:300-305
  • Erlandsen, S.L., Chen, Y., and Frethem, C., (2000) Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) Entering the 21st Century: Nanometer Resolution and Molecular Topography of Cell Structure. J. Histotechnology, 23: (3) 249-259.
  • Erlandsen, S.L., Frethem, C., and Wells, C.L., (1995) Backscatter Electron Imaging with FESEM: A New Way to Look at Cell Surface Topography and Immunogold Labeling. Views EM [Texas A&M University] 10:4-7.
  • Frethem, C., C. Wells, V. Carlino, and S.L.Erlandsen, (1993) High Resolution Field Emission SEM (FESEM) of Bulk Biological Samples: Relationship Between Different Metal Coatings, Their Thicknesses, and Quality of Backscatter Electron (BSE) Versus Secondary Electron (SE) Imaging. In: Proc. 51st Ann. Mtg. MSA (G.W. Bailey and C.L. Reider, eds.) San Francisco Press, San Francisco, CA, pp. 370-371.
  • Stoffel, M.H, Frethem, C., Hamilton, D.W., and Friess, A.E., (1993) Improved Preservation of Rat Epididymal Sperm for High-Resolution Low-Voltage Scanning Electron Microsopy (HR-LVSEM). Mol. Reprod. Develop. 34:175-182.
  • Erlandsen, S.L., Frethem, C., and Meyer, E.A., (1984) Scanning Electron Microscopy of Giardia lamblia Excystation. XI Inter. Cong. Trop. Med. and Malaria, Calgary, Alberta, Sept. 16-22.


In his more than 27 year involvement with electron microscopy at the U of MN, Chris has experienced many improvements in instrument technology, and changes in research emphasis, facilities management, and his own roles within the university's microscopy community.  As co-manager with Alice Ressler in the Nils Hasselmo Hall lab, he is responsible for operating, maintaining, and training users in the use of the JEOL 1200-EX II TEM, Hitachi S-900 and S-4700 FEGSEMs and their associated cryo sample preparation instruments, several sample coating instruments, the Balzers High Pressure Freezing System, BalTec Freeze-Fracture System, Balzers Freeze-Substitution System, and the Reichert UltraCut S Ultramicrotome.

Among his goals for the facility are to improve its ability to efficiently process and analyze a wider range of biological and materials sciences samples, to improve training methods and materials for specialists and non-specialists, to acquire essential new equipment, and to bring currently unused or underused instruments into service.