Microscope Training
All new confocal microscope users must attend a compulsory 2-hour introductory training session before being given access to a microscope on the booking system. Up to three trainees can be accommodated per session.This basic training will be provided using a standard specimen provided by the light microscopy group. In addition, if you need to use advanced microscopy techniques as part of your project you must attend a compulsory supervised advanced training session in which your own specimen will be used to demonstrate the equipment and software tools necessary for your project.
How do I book training?
All training must be booked through the LMCB light microscopy email: lmcbimage@lmcb.mcbl.ucl.ac.uk
Once an Introductory or Advanced training session has been booked it will be entered on the Microscope Training Calendar. If there is already a training session scheduled you can join that session provided it isn’t already fully subscribed but please email the address above to let us know you will be attending. Once you have received introductory training on a microscope you will be given access to the Faces Scheduling System where you will be able to book any microscope you've been trained on. You will also be entered onto the lmcb-lm-users@ucl.ac.uk mailing list, which microscope users can use to communicate with one another.
Introductory Training (Widefield Microscopes)
You will learn:
- How to turn on the microscope and associated devices
- How to focus and align the microscope for phase contrast or DIC (depending on the microscope)
- How to view phase contrast, DIC and fluorescence images down the microscope
- How to take single and multi-channel images with the camera and software
- How to apply colour look-up tables (LUTs) to images and merge fluorescent channels
- How to calibrate the dimensions of images
- How to save image data
- How to export data in standard TIFF format
Introductory Training (Confocal Microscopes)
You will learn:
- How to turn on the microscope system and associated devices
- How to view fluorescence images down the microscope
- The basic principles of confocal microscopy - What it is. Why do it
- How to set up the system for single and multi-channel fluorescence imaging
- How to do Z stacks
- How to save and recall acquisition settings and data
- The importance of cleaning the microscope and objective lenses
- How to switch off the system and leave it in a suitable condition for the next user
Introductory Training (Time-lapse Microscopes)
You will learn:
- How to turn on the microscope system and associated devices
- How to calibrate the stage when necessary
- How to set up a multi-well plate specimen for imaging at 37 degree C and 5% or 10% CO2
- How to use the other available specimen inserts
- How to align the microscope for phase contrast
- How to set up the system for phase contrast and multi-channel imaging
- How to set up single and multi-point acquisitions with or without auto-focus
- How to switch off the system and leave it in a suitable condition for the next user
Advanced Microscope Training
Advanced microscopy training is compulsory for anyone wanting to carry out the following techniques:
- Differential Interference Contrast (DIC aka. Nomarski Contrast) on confocal microscopes
- Imaging of samples in non-standard or home-built specimen holders
- Live imaging of any kind
- Photo-bleaching, photo-activation and photo-conversion techniques (e.g. FRAP, FLIP, etc)
- Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)
- Techniques requiring the use of a motorised stage (e.g. multi-position time-lapse, tiling/stitching)
Advanced training will consist of a session where the user will operate the machine with one of their own specimens under the supervision of a member of the light microscopy facility. It is likely that live specimens in particular will require specific stage adapters and environmental conditions and users must discuss this with their tutor in advance so the necessary arrangements can be made. It is also important that you check with the light microscopy facility whether your particular procedure or specimen can be accommodated using the equipment in the facility.