Training for light microscopes in the CDB Microscopy Core

All new users of our core's light microscopes must follow the same training procedure, regardless of background experience. If you are unsure as to which type of microscope is best for your experiment, contact Andrea Stout or AJ Lucy to schedule a consultation.

The next training lecture will take place in person on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 12:30— 2:00 pm in room 1101 BRB.  Register for the lecture here; a reminder email will be sent out the day before (April 8).

Attendance at the monthly pre-training lecture is recommended but not required for our widefield microscopes. Click the plus sign for detailed instructions on how to request hands-on training.

Arrange a hands-on training session the same way you would arrange an assisted session:
  1. Set up your iLab account
  2. Email Andrea to introduce yourself.  She will ask you to fill out our intake form, and your request will be forwarded to the appropriate staff member.
  3. The following microscopes fall into this category:  Leica widefield and EVOS FL Auto in Smilow, and Zeiss Observer 7 in BRB.
  4. Training involves instruction on proper microscope startup, sample mounting, and software configuration. By the end of the session you should be able to operate the microscope independently for routine tasks (single images, multi-point acquisition, and/or tile scans).  Time for training is charged at the assisted rate for that instrument.

Attendance at the pre-training lecture is mandatory for all who wish to do hands-on training on a confocal. Click the plus sign for more detailed instructions.  Register for the next training lecture here.

Please follow these instructions when requesting confocal training
  1. Register for the next training lecture here.
  2. Set up your iLab account.
  3. If you have attended a lecture within the past year and are ready for hands-on training, email Andrea and complete our intake form.
  4. Recommended (but not required) for labs new to our core: start with an assisted session to see if your samples are compatible with or benefit from confocal imaging.
  5. Hands-on confocal training is done as a one-on-one in-person session with Andrea or AJ at the confocal. Only one trainee per session is allowed, and trainees should come to the session with a sample similar to what they will be imaging for their project. The first half of the session may involve a demonstration of proper workflow using a standard sample; the second half will involve the trainee's sample. Total time is usually 2 - 2.5 hours.  For more complicated workflows, a second session may be required.
  6. Trainees must schedule their first post-training session within 3 weeks of in-person hands-on training in order to gain access to the iLab scheduler.

The first time a user is trained on a confocal microscope, a flat fee of $400 ($652 for corporate customers) is charged. This fee includes the training session itself plus 2 additional hours of unassisted confocal usage provided that they take place within 1 month of the hands-on training session.

Users who request hands-on training on a second confocal will be charged the hourly rate for assisted time posted here.

Attendance at the pre-training lecture is mandatory for all who wish to do hands-on training on one of these systems.   Click the plus sign for more information and note the extra requirements.

Please follow these instructions when requesting training on one of the above systems
  1. Email Andrea with a request to be added to the list for the next training lecture if you haven't already attended it. 
  2. Set up your iLab account if you haven't done that yet.
  3. Set up a meeting with Andrea to discuss (a) sample preparation requirements for your chosen modality and (b) discuss technical details of your chosen modality that differ from conventional widefield or confocal.
  4. Arrange with Andrea to do an assisted session prior to hands-on training. This is mandatory: you will not be trained during this session, but you will see what's involved and will learn what data management strategies you should get in place and what (if any) sample prep modifications you should implement before you begin using the system.
  5. After your assisted session, arrange a separate hands-on training session with Andrea. After completion of this, you may reserve the microscope to work independently.