MCDB Home > Research > Research Facilities > Microscopy Facility

About the Facility

The Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and the Neuroscience Research Institute operate an Integrated Microscopy Facility. The facility provides instruction and training on advanced light microscopy, digital imaging, laser scanning confocal microscopy, electron microscopy, and the preparatory technique for these imaging paradigms.

The Facility has the Following Equipment for Imaging

Basic Light Microscopy

• Upright microscopes equipped for high-resolution fluorescence and digital recording of the images (Olympus BX 51, BX60).
  • MicroFire camera
  • MacroFire camera
• One Stereo microscope with photoports for imaging specimens in three-dimensions (Olympus SZX12 with MicroFire camera option).
• One inverted microscope equipped with long working distance phase objectives and epifluorescent illuminator. This microscope is used for looking at cultured samples Petri dishes or multi-well plates.
  • Qimaging camera for low light digital imaging

Confocal Microscopy

There are three microscopes with confocal capability

• A point-scanning laser based system for the highest vertical and lateral resolution on an inverted microscope (Olympus Fluoview 500).
• A high speed spinning disc confocal on an inverted microscope with an environmental chamber (Olympus DSU) for live cell recordings.
• The Olympus Fluoview 1000 MPE (see Two-Photon Microscopy).

Two-photon Microscopy

The Olympus Fluoview 1000 MPE is an upright microscope with 3 visible confocal laser lines, a Mai Tai pulsed two-photon femtosecond laser for 2-photon imaging and a scanning X, Y stage in addition to the standard motorized Z stage.

Electron Microscopy

The facility has a JEOL 123 transmission electron microscope for imaging specimens that require resolving structures that are separated by only a nanometer.

Training and Education

The microscopy facility runs a national level imaging course for live and fixed cell imaging, twice a year. Additionally, the facility sponsors a graduate course in advanced techniques in digital imaging.

Contact Information

To inquire about using any of the advanced microscopy tools, or if you would like additional information regarding the Microscopy Facility, please contact the facility using the contact information below.

Phone: (805) 893-8702
Fax: (805) 893-2005
E-Mail: UCSBmicroscopy@lifesci.ucsb.edu
Location: Bio II, rm. 5173

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