Biology 314 - Topics in Advanced Microscopy Techniques for Research: Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy

Topics course.Instrument specific topics course designed for research students (special studies, honors, SURF, etc.) requiring access to microscope equipment in the Center for Microscopy and Imaging (CMI). Students will discuss the need of the Microscope system of their choice for their research project by preparing and presenting short presentations and a poster. Emphasized are group and individual training sessions required to learn how to operate a microscope independently (see topics). Evaluation will be through engagement in assigned activities. 400 level work cannot overlap with this course work. Prerequisite: Permission of the Instructor. Enrollment limited to 6 per topic. Graded S/U only: The LSCM is used to study fluorescently labelled live or fixed cells, tissues, and small organisms. By blocking the out-of-focus light, the image quality is improved compared to widefield fluorescence microscopy. Optical sections of materials can be collected and used to reconstruct the three-dimensional structure. Training includes a lecture, demonstrations, discussions, and hands-on microscope instruction. Participants will meet for a total of 6 weeks during the semester.

Instructor Permission.