Optical Microscopy
"A picture is worth a thousand words", said Stefan Hell, Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry and father of nanoscopy, opening his lecture on 8 December 2014 in Stockholm. And this has been true for the life sciences since the invention of the microscope.
Description
The Optical Microscopy Laboratory provides support and assistance to users from experiment design and image acquisition to quantitative data analysis.
Our wide range of cutting-edge technologies — some of which can be used independently after a dedicated training — and our advanced techniques allow us to answer a variety of scientific questions.
The laboratory is equipped with wide-field microscopes, as well as optical sectioning and nanoscopy setups for acquiring images of fixed and living samples.
A sample preparation room (BSL2) and a workstation dedicated to image analysis are also available.
Equipment
Software
| Nome | Descrizione | |
|---|---|---|
| Zeiss arivis Pro Software | Zeiss arivis Pro is a comprehensive software solution for viewing, sharing, analyzing and presenting multi-channel and multi-dimensional (2D, 3D, and 4D) image data. The software supports and manages over 30 commercial file formats, efficiently processing even large files. Arivis Pro enables the analysis of even complex models using standard or AI model-based pipelines and enables workflow integration via Python scripting. | link |
| SVI Huygens Deconvolution Software | Huygens is a custom-built software for deconvolution and processing of microscopy images, capable of deconvolving a wide range of images (widefield, confocal, light-sheet, STED). Its user interface guides the user through the image deconvolution process, allowing comparison between raw and deconvolved results and multidimensional rendering of the data. | link |
| Open source Image Processing Software | CellProfiler, ImageJ/Fiji, Leica LasX Lite. |
Rates
The Centre’s regulations provide for the application of a fee for the use of the equipment:
INTERNAL USERS
Consultation is reserved for University staff: link
EXTERNAL USERS
| Equipment/Service | Autonomous use* (hourly rate) | With technical support (hourly rate) |
|---|---|---|
| STED/DSL/TIRF/TCS SP8 microscopes | not available | € 150,00 |
| SPINNING DISK microscope | not available | € 150,00 |
| DM6 microscope | €25,00 | € 50,00 |
| Data analysis | not available | € 100,00 |
| Special treatments of the sample, organization and treatment of data, drafting of reports | not available | € 100,00 |
* autonomous use permitted upon proven competence in using the equipment
EXTERNAL USERS WITH AGREEMENTS
| Equipment/Service | Autonomous use* (hourly rate) | With technical support (hourly rate) |
|---|---|---|
| STED/DSL/TIRF/TCS SP8 microscopes | not available | € 60,00 |
| SPINNING DISK microscope | not available | € 36,00 |
| DM6 microscope | not available | € 9,60 |
| Data analysis | not available | € 30,00 |
| Special treatments of the sample, organization and treatment of data, drafting of reports | not available | € 30,00 |
* autonomous use permitted upon proven competence in using the equipment
Publications
FAQ and Protocols
FAQ
| Domanda | Risposta |
|---|---|
| What types of sample support can be used for experiments on our instruments? | Our microscopes are equipped with many different stage inserts… (see more) |
| Why do slides need to be mounted and which mounting solution is right for my slides? | The mounting solution is responsible for holding the sample in position… (see more) |
| Is it possible to perform analyses on living samples or to perform live cell imaging experiments over time in the Optical Microscopy Laboratory? | Most of our microscopes are equipped with incubators that can control… (see more) |
| Is it possible to perform Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP) experiments in the Optical Microscopy Laboratory? | Photoperturbation experiments are widely used to study diffusion… (see more) |
| Where can I find information about the excitation and emission spectra of fluorophores? | There are many websites that provide information on the fluorophores… (see more) |
