The Microscopy Core Facility
We are in the process of developing the microscopy core facility for the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and this page will be updated as new features are added.
At present there are two Zeiss LSM 510 confocal fluorescence microscopes both equipped with Coherent Chameleon lasers that are suitable for both confocal and multiphoton imaging. The inverted microscope on K floor is suitable for conventional cell and tissue specimens mounted under glass cover slips or in glass bottomed dishes. The upright microscope situated in the Field Labs on F floor is available for intravital microscopy or "open dish" cell/tissue specimens since it is fitted with "dipping" lenses which need to be immersed in water/culture medium. For more detailed specifications please see the confocal pages (top left on this page).
There are two inverted widefield fluorescence microscopes in room DU12. These are equipped with long working distance lenses and are ideally suited to working with tissue culture plates and dishes. They can be used for phase contrast or fluorescence imaging of either fixed or live specimens stained or expressing a range of markers. For more detailed specifications please see the widefield microscopes pages (top left on this page)
There is a computer workstation with a full version of AIM, Zeiss confocal software, Leica LAS “browser” version and the 64bit version of ImageJ installed. This is available for use free of charge.
If you would like to use the microscopes, for training or to discuss any future requirements please contact me:
Colin Gray
Room LU104
colin.gray@sheffield.ac.uk
tel 0114-2261234.
Data Storage
Users should back up their data via the LAN or on portable devices (e.g. memory sticks, CD-ROM, DVD) at the end of imaging sessions. Data left on computer hard disks will be erased regularly for system maintenance purposes without warning. Every user is entitled to use storage space on the D drive (d:\all_users_data\) while they are acquiring images. If storage space is in short supply, you may delete data belonging to anyone without warning so remember to back up before you lose something important.
Charges
Please note! From 1st January 2009 booking of the confocal microscopes will be charged at an introductory rate of £15/hour for single photon confocal microscopy and multiphoton microscopy at a rate of £30/hour.
From 1st March 2009 booking of the "Leica Inverted DMI4000B" and the "Time-lapse live cells imaging system" in the D floor microscope room will be charged at an introductory rate of £10/hour. A discount is available for time-lapse imaging sessions >5 hours, for details contact colin.gray@sheffield.ac.uk.
In order to be fair and maximise system availability these charges will apply to bookings cancelled within 48 hours of the booked time if it is not used by someone else. People doing live cell/animal work who have a good reason for an occasional late cancellation eg the cells died, and who report this at the time will be allowed to rebook without charge).
Also note! You must book enough time to allow your data to be saved at the end of the session. If you inconvenience another user by overrunning your allocated time you will be charged for the microscope time (minimum 1 hour) plus an extra £20 for any part of an hour which will be paid to the booked user's account as compensation.
The Histomorphometry / fluorescence Leica DMRB upright microscope, the Bioquant microscope and the Bright field and fluorescence Leica DMRB upright microscope belong to Mineralised Tissue Microscopy and are not part of the microscopy core facility.