Basic training
All potential confocal microscope users must attend a compulsory 2-hour basic training session before being given access to a microscope on the booking system. Up to three trainees can be accommodated per session.The basic training will be provided using a standard specimen provided by the light microscopy group.
What is covered?
Basic training is currently available for the following confocal microscopes: Leica SPE, SPE2, SPE3 and SP5, Bio-Rad Radiance and Olympus Fluoview FV1200.
The basic training session will cover switching the machine on, setting up the confocal system for imaging the specimen, single and multi-channel imaging, Z stacks, saving and recalling settings, saving data, cleaning objective lenses, switching off the system and leaving it in a suitable state for the next user. If you need further training with your own specimen or advanced training in specific applications this can be provided on request in a separate session.
Vox spinning disc and time-lapse training
Basic training sessions for the Vox and time-lapse microscopes will last two to three hours. The basic training session will be provided using a test specimen from the light microscopy facility. Further training sessions will be needed with users' own specimens because of the specific problems encountered with live imaging. You MUST discuss your specimen and experiment with the trainer at least a week in advance (or as long as it will take for you to prepare a specimen) since not all specimen imaging chambers can be accommodated, so it is very important that you find out what you should grow your specimen in.
Other training
The light microscopy facility can also offer training on wide field fluorescence microscopes and image processing software. Please contact the facility at the email below to arrange training.
How do I book training?
All training must be booked through the LMCB light microscopy email: lmcbimage@lmcb.mcbl.ucl.ac.uk
Once a training session has been booked it will be entered onto the Microscope Training Calendar. If there is already a training session scheduled for the microscope you want to use you may join that session provided it isn’t already fully subscribed.