The Center for Biological Microscopy

1. Purpose:  Our goal is to assist the researcher in generating high-resolution, high quality microscopy-based data for publications and presentation at professional venues. A range of services is available for both experienced and inexperienced users. Experienced users may use the Core's instruments after proper orientation by a staff member. Inexperienced users may choose to receive training in the use of the instruments, technical support in microscopy and image analysis, consultation in experimental design, or have us perform the microscopy for them as a service.
   
   
2. Location: 

   Department of Cell and Cancer Biology
   Vontz Center for Molecular Studies
   3125 Eden Avenue, Rooms 3209, 3403 and 3432

   
   
   
3. Equipment: 
   1. Confocal microscopy (Vontz 3403B). The Zeiss LSM 510 laser scanning confocal microscope can be fitted to either an upright or inverted platform. Images for three dyes plus a transmitted, DIC image can be acquired. Capabilities include multi-tracking, separate pinholes for each channel, exquisite control over the laser's region of interest, and 3-D rendering. Laser lines: 458, 488, 514, 543, 633 nm. Live cells may be imaged using the inverted platform and data analyzed with the LSM physiology software. Stage and objective heaters are available to facilitate live cell imaging.
   2. Widefield microscopy.
      1. OrcaERZeiss (Vontz 3403) - A Zeiss Axioplan Imaging 2 infinity-corrected, upright microscope with DIC and epifluorescence is coupled to a sensitive cooled CCD camera (Orca-ER). Filters are available for DAPI, CFP, FITC/YFP, Rhodamine, Texas Red and Cy5.
      2. Spotcam1 (Room 3403) - A Spot II cooled CCD camera is coupled to a Nikon Microphot upright microscope with epifluorescence, darkfield, and brightfield optics.
      3. Spotcam2 (Room 3403A) - A Spot II cooled CCD camera is coupled to a Nikon Microphot upright microscope with epifluorescence, darkfield, brightfield, and phase contrast optics.
      4. Live Cell Imaging (Room 3403) - Multiple instruments are equipped for live cell imaging ranging from routine phase contrast, time-lapse recording to FRAP (fluorescence recovery after photobleaching) and time-lapse fluorescence imaging of GFP-linked molecules.
      5. Eppendorf Automatic Microinjection system. (Room 3403A)
      6. Professional Digital camera - The Nikon D1x is a professional grade SLR camera with 3008 x 1960 pixels. It can be attached to a Nikon inverted microscope to obtain phase  contrast or fluorescent images of live cells or attached to a copy stand for macroscopic imaging (2-D gels, organs, small animals) and for digitizing EM negatives.
   3. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) (Room 3209). The electron microscopy facility maintains a JEOL JEM-1230 instrument fitted with an AMT Advantage Plus 2K x 2K digital camera, as well as a fully equipped sample processing laboratory, darkroom, and equipment for converting film images to digital images. The facility offers complete EM services including sample processing, ultramicrotomy, immunogold labeling, TEM imaging, film developing, photographic printing, and digital image acquisition. We stress user-friendliness and welcome users who wish to be trained in any or all aspects of electron microscopy.
   4. Image analysis and output. Metamorph (industry-standard image analysis software for image acquisition, morphometry, cell counting, intensity quantification, and colocalization), AutoDeblur (deconvolution software to remove out of focus blur), 3D for LSM (measurement and manipulation of 3D image sets), ImageJ, Adobe Photoshop. Fujix Pictography 3000 photo-quality printer, Tektronix Phasers, Nikon Super Coolscan 4000 film scanner, Montage FR2 slide maker, HP Scanjet 7400C.
   
   
   
4. Director:  For training and consultation in electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, widefield microscopy and digital imaging contact Dr. Birgit Ehmer at 513-300-4801, via email, or at the Vontz Center in Room 3104. Faculty director: Dr. Wallace Ip (513-558-3614, email)
   
   
5. Fee structure: 

   Confocal microscope: $30/hr during regular work week, $25/hr after 5 pm and weekends. TEM: $40/hr. OrcaERZeiss: $15/hr during regular work week, $5/hr for time-lapse (after 5 pm and weekends). Spotcam systems: $5/hr. Fees for other service (e.g., sample preparation, time-lapse) are listed at our website ( LM fees/ EM fees). Training is $30/hr.

   
   
   
6. Frequency of use:  Widefield: moderate (used >50% time)
   Confocal, moderate to heavy (used 50-75% time)
   TEM, light (used <50% time)
   
   
7. Accessible:  Accessible to all researchers in the UC research community including CCHMC and VA. We also serve outside users at slightly higher charges.
   
   
8. Other:  Our website has equipment descriptions, contact information, new user application form, reservation procedures, illustrated protocols, image galleries, links & downloads, and a publication list.
   
   
9. Website:  http://microscopy.uc.edu