Instruments-Micro

Instruments

Electron Microscopes:
Philips EM 208 Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)
A 100kv instrument with excellent contrast at medium magnifications and sub-nanometer resolution with the right specimens. Besides data-rich film output, the scope is also fitted with an AMT Advantage HR 1Mb digital camera. This camera is fast enough for smooth stage translations for serial section imaging, is sensitive at low illumination, and has FFT assistance for easier focusing and astigmatism compensation. The microscope is reliable, easy to use, and (almost) always warmed up. Data retrieval on film, CD, 250Mb PC Zips, or USB. Please contact Dwight Romanovicz for information.

Zeiss SUPRA 40 VP Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM):
Based on Zeiss' GEMINI field emission SEM column, this instrument provides ultra high resolution at low kV. Additionally, the variable presser chamber allows for imaging of non-conductive samples. The large chamber and user friendly software make this a versatile easy to use instrument. Data retrieval on CD or USB. Please contact Dwight Romanovicz for information.

Electron Microscopy Support Instruments:

Leica Ultracut UCT Ultramicrotome and Cryo-Ultramicrotome:

Ambient plastic sectioning as thin as 50nm, or semi-thins for clean light microscopy. Good lighting and chuck and knife control enable accurate orientation. We have glass and glass knife-breakers on hand and offer used diamonds for resharpening or trade-in.
The UCT can be fitted with the cryo-chamber for frozen or low temperature wet ultrasectioning. Training is available for all these techniques. This microtome makes the most difficult part of an EM sectioning project much easier.
Please contactDwight Romanovicz for information.

Critical Point dryer:

Critical point drying is still the standard by which other structure preservation techniques are measured. Sample holders for bulk or large specimens, TEM grids, or coverslips. Please contact Dwight Romanovicz for information.

Cressington 208 Bench Top Sputter Coater:
This system can provide ultra-thin (nm scale) grain free coatings for high resolution SEM applications. The attached thickness monitor has a resolution on 0.1 nm, for reproducible coatings. We keep a stock of metal targets including Au/Pd, Pt/Pd, Cr, and Ir.
Please contact Dwight Romanovicz for information.

Edwards 306 High Vacuum Evaporator:
The Edwards 306 high vacuum evaporator is currently set up for Pt/C low angle and rotary shadowing, carbon evaporation, and glow discharge. Please contact Dwight Romanovicz for information.

Leica EM AFS and Leica EM CPC Freeze Substitution System:

Available cryo-preparation for TEM (or SEM) by immersion (here typically propane), metal mirror, and other methods, and automated freeze substitution and embedding (here often HM20 and UV low temperature polymerization), especially for enhanced gold-bead ICC work. Please contact Dwight Romanovicz for information.

Bal-Tec MED 020 High Vacuum Coater

Quick turbo-pumped unit with accessory for rotary and directional electron beam evaporation. Useful for low-angle high-resolution tungsten shadowing. Please contact Dwight Romanovicz for information.

Microm HM 550 Cryostat

Manual sectioning to -35C and thinner than 10um. We’ve had good results with the knife holder for disposable steel blades. Please contact Angela Bardo for information.

Light Microscopes

Dissecting scope with ring illumination and digital camera attachment. For TEM specimen block trimming and general use. Transmitted light scope with Leica DFC digital color camera with 2.5x, 5x, 10x, 20x, 40x, and 63x (all dry) objectives with phase and DIC capabilities. For TEM semi-thin section mapping and general use. 250MB Zip, CD, and USB for data output. Please contact Angela Bardo for information.

Fluorescence Microscopy:

Widefield Fluorescence Microscope:
A Leica DM IRBE microscope is fitted with a 100W Hg lamp and natural density filters, which supply variable excitation intensity. Fluorescence filter cubes include: DAPI, FITC, GFP, YFP, TRITC, and CY5. A Leica DFC350 FX fluorescence camera is attached for image acquisition. This camera provides 12 bit data with up to 2.9 Mpix. Available objectives: 10x, 20x 40x oil immersion, 100x oil immersion. 100MB Zip, CD-R, USB drive for data output. Please contact Angela Bardo for information.

Leica SP2 AOBS Confocal Microscope:
Five lasers, DIC optics, and a filterless scan head attached to and an inverted microscope allow three fluorescent channels to be monitored simultaneously at high resolution. The lasers supply the excitation wavelengths Excitation wavelengths available are 350 nm, 365nm, 458 nm, 476 nm, 488 nm, 496 nm, 514nm, 543 nm, 594 nm, and 633 nm. Available objectives: 10x, 20 x, 40x oil immersion, 63x oil immersion, and 63x water immersion. Spectral imaging also available. 250MB Zip disk, USB, or CD-R drive for data output are available. Please contact Angela Bardo for information.

Data Processing:
Epson 1600 Flatbed Scanner:
High resolution full-page scanner for opaques and includes a large format transmitted detector for negatives and transparencies. Please contact Angela Bardo for information.

Fujix Pictrography 3000:
High quality color printer available for publication quality prints. You can print on glossy paper or transparencies. File must be Adobe Photoshop compatible. Please contact Angela Bardo for information.

Metamorph Imaging Software:
Typical applications are particle counting and measurement from TEM, and fluorescence overlays, projections, and movies. Tutorials are available. Please contact Angela Bardo for information.

Adobe Photoshop:
Photoshop is our common-use software for working with images. Tutorials are available for image optimization in preparation for image processing or publication. Please contact Angela Bardo for information.

Imaris:
Software package for 2, 3, and 4 dimensional applications including partial tracking, 3-D colocalization, filament tracking and extensive measurements capabilities.
Please contact Angela Bardo for information.

Flow Cytometry:
Becton and Dickinson FACSCalibur Flow Cytometer:
The flow cytometer analyzes cells as they pass through a focused laser beam one cell at a time. Relative fluorescence intensity, cell size and internal complexity can be determined. The available lasers excite at 488 nm and 635 nm. A single sub-population from a sample can be identified. Please contact Cassandra Horn for information.

Becton and Dickinson FACSAria Flow Cytometer and Cell Sorter :
The FACSAria is a benchtop high-speed sorter.with two lasers at 488-nm and 633-nm wavelengths. Digital acquisition rates of up to 70,000 events/second. Multicolor analysis of up to 9 parameters (Forward Scatter, Side Scatter, and 7 Fluorescence). Two- and four-way bulk sorting devices for micotubes, 12X 75 mm and 15 mL tubes. Automated Cell Deposition Unit for sorting to multiwell plates (6,24,48,96, and 384) or microscope slides.
Please contact Cassandra Horn for information.

Flow Cytometry Software Packages:
The data processing lab includes extensive flow cytometry analysis software, including BD’s Cell Quest Pro, FCSExpress, ModFit, and the industry standard, FlowJo.