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What's New
Posted 7-16-2008
New Instrumentation Rates effective 9/1/08
The MIC announces increased instrumentation fees effective 9/1/08. The increase will take place in two phases during FY 2009. Technician fees will not increase at this time. If you have any questions, please call 845-1129.
Posted 6-12-2008
Stan Vitha is out of office from 6-16-2008 to 7-10-2008
User of Zeiss Axiophot and Olympus confocal microscopes should contact Tom Stephens for assistance if needed.
Posted 04-08-2008
Seminar: 3D confocal imaging and data analysis
Date: Wednesday April 16, 2008
Location: MIC conference room, BSBW 119
Topics covered include
- resolution limits for 3D imaging
- Sample preparation strategies, choosing the right mounting medium
- optimizing confocal image acquisition parameters
- data processing: noise removal, correction for z-axis compression/expansion
- deconvolution of confocal data
- Software for volume and surface rendering
- Segmentation, volume measurements
- Tracking
Those who plan to attend and have particular imaging/analysis needs are encouraged to email/call Stan Vitha (vitha@mic.tamu.edu; tel. 845-1607) ahead of time so that the issues/concerns can be adequately addressed.
Posted 04-08-2008
CCD camera acquisition on the olympus Fluoview system
The Olympus FV1000 confocal microscope has a CCD camera (Qimaging Rolera XR) that can be used for non-confocal (wide-field) fluorescence imaging. The camera and the Prior motorized XY stage are now controlled by the free MicroManager software (http://www.micro-manager.org). This software allows multi-area time lapse imaging.
Posted 03-17-2008
New sample holders for the Olympus confocal microscope
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Universal specimen holder: accepts 1 x 3” slides, 2 x 3” slides, Petri dishes up to 60mm diameter. |
Recessed microtitre plate (85 x 128mm) specimen holder. Can be used with the MATL (multiple-area time lapse) module in the confocal software to automatically scan multiple (or all) wells. |
Posted 03-17-2008
Olympus Confocal software updated to v. 1.7
I. New features
- Virtual Channels
- Partial open of large stacks
- Open multiple files that are selected on File Open dialog
- Save As compressed TIFF
- Customizable Series Analysis and Live Plot
- Multiple improvements in Time Controller and Multi Area TimeLapse
- Users can choose the order of acquisition and file name for Mosaic Outline and Define Matrix in Multi Area TimeLapse
- Can use ROI on the Live View window as Mosaic outline in Multi Area TimeLapse
- Stitching images acquired by Mosaic Outline or Define Matrix in Multi Area TimeLapse Viewer
- Improvements to FRET routines:
- Stop bleaching when signal drops to desired value in FRET Acceptor Photobleach
- Change HV for PMT during bleach by main scanner in FRET Acceptor Photobleach
II. Modified Items
- The processing time of opening and saving OIF/OIB is reduced.
- The result is shown as [um] in Intensity Profile.
- The processing time of calculating in Series Analysis and Live Plot is shortened
- The width of the slit for Lambda scans as the position of the image frame is shown in Series Analysis
- The folder and file name for Projection or Appended images are changed in Time Controller and Multi Area TimeLapse. It is possible to specify folders directly.
- The amount of time to register points by Mosaic Outline or Define Matrix is shortened in Multi Area TimeLapse. The maximum number of registration is changed to 3000.
- Improved dye editing
Posted 12-17-2008
Light Microscopy Course (BIOL 608) organizational meeting
The class organizational meeting is on Wednesday January 9, 2008 at 1 PM in the MIC conference room, BSBW 119. If you are seriously interested in taking the course and there are no more seats available, contact Dr. Holzenburg (holzen@mic.tamu.edu; tel 845-1129) and also plan on coming to the organizational meeting on Jan. 9th.
The official first day of class is Wednesday January 16th at 1 PM.
Posted 10-18-2007
Hirox KH-7700 Digital Microscope Demo
Date: Wednesday October 24th, 10AM-noon
Location: MIC conference room, BSBW 119.
The KH-7700 is compact microscope/macroscope equipped with high-resolution digital camera, advanced illumination system, 3D profile measurement and integrated software for image analysis and display. See http://www.hirox-usa.com for details. Please bring your samples to try it out! Contact Stan Vitha (vitha@mic.tamu.edu; tel 845-1607) if you have questions.
Posted 07-16-2007
Associate Research Scientist Position Available
Description: The successful candidate will engage in the following activities:
Conducts scholarly and professional R&D.
Maintains an advanced TEM.
Educates and instructs undergraduate, graduate students, staff, faculty and visiting scientists in transmission and scanning electron microscopy through personal training and in a tutorial/lecture type environment including assessments.
Supports the teaching programs as required. Provides scheduled and unscheduled tours of diverse groups and individuals.
Provides technical/research support for transmission and scanning electron microscopy in the Material Sciences field. Work includes consultation in initiation of studies, scheduling of work, specimen preparation, and microscopic analysis incl. digital image processing, logging and identifying negatives/image files.
Prepares reports to customers of the Center, completes paperwork for accounting and provides billing information.
Generally promotes research and research education in the Center covering the field of basic and advanced electron microscopy with clients of all race, gender and ethnicity.
Qualifications: We are looking for an energetic and passionate electron microscopist well versed in TEM/SEM of materials. Minimum qualifications include appropriate doctoral degree and minimum of 3 years relevant professional experience. The ideal candidate would have a chemistry background and be familiar with EDS/EELS as well as EBSD. This is not a tenure track position.
To apply, send your cover letter and resume to mrichard@mic.tamu.edu.
Texas A&M is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Salary Range: Competitive salary and benefit package
Posted 06-28-2007
Dr. Stanislav Vitha is out of office for the first three weeks in July
For advice and routine help with the light microscopes, please contact Tom Stephens (tstephen@mic.tamu.edu; tel 845-1165). Dr. Vitha will be back on Monday July 23rd.
Updated 09-08-07:
Old Zeiss LSM10 confocal microscope transferred
The old LSM10 microscope has been transferred out of the MIC and is no longer available. Please contact Stan Vitha (vitha@mic.tamu.edu; 845-1607) if you have additional questions.
Posted 05-31-07:
Digital camera for the Nikon dissecting microscope installed
The Nikon SMZ-10 dissecting microsope is now equipped with a Nikon Coolpix 4500 camera for digital photomicrography.
Posted 04-17-2007:
NEW 20x/0.85 oil immersion objective for the confocal microscope
The UPLSAPO 20x/0.85 oil immersion objective replaces the previous 20x/0.8 lens and is expected to provide higher resolution and better control of the chromatic aberration in the entire visible range. Tests of this objective will pe performed in next few weeks.
Posted 11-30-2006:
OLYMPUS CONFOCAL SOFTWARE UPDATED
- The Fluoview software has been updated to ver. 1.6. Besides bug fixes, major changes include:
- Improved stimulus settings for photobleaching, interface unified for the SIM and main scanner photobleaching
- Extended parameters in the "Save" options
- More display options for Live View
- Users can create custom multi-dye settings that can be then retrieved from the Dye Database
- Improved FRET wizard
In addition to software updates, the faulty 3rd detector has been replaced and the SIM scanner realigned.
Posted 11-15-2006:
FIB Systems: A contemporary sample preparation tool for scanning and transmission electron microscopy of materials
The Microscopy and Imaging Center is hosting Dr. Kultaransingh (Bobby) Hooghan and Dr. Paul Rodriguez from Reactive Beam Technology Inc. and Hooghan Consultancy Services on Monday, November 20, 2006. Dr. Hooghan will give a seminar at 10:00 AM in BSBW 025. You can visit their web site at www.rbt-hcs.com. Contact Ann Ellis [ellisa@mic.tamu.edu] for further information.
Posted 11-13-2006:
Power Outage
Starting Monday, Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. our equipment will be down due to a power outage. It is expected to last until 10 a.m. the following morning. We apologize for any inconveniences this may cause.
Posted 11-13-2006:
NEW ! NOW AVAILABLE !
Assisted use of our workhorse SEM Jeol 6400
For whom ?
For individuals from the A&M campus with image-ready specimens who want to take electron micrographs of their specimens but do not wish to go through the regular training routine and/or be certified for independent operation.
What does it entail ?
1) Users in the assisted use regime will not receive a key and must use the instrument during regular business hours when the staff member who assists in the use is present.
2) Sample exchange and filamant saturation need to be performed by a staff member.
3) Users will receive basic training in image acquisition and X-Y translation.
What are the charges ?
$ 40/hour
Free Tutorial: Processing, Analysis, and Visualization of Confocal Microscopy Data
Date: Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Time: 1 to 3 p.m.
Location:Microscopy and Imaging Center, BSBW Room 119
Contact Information: Call Stanislav Vitha (Tel. 845-1607, vitha@mic.tamu.edu) to sign up or if you have any questions about the tutorial.
Posted 8-22-2006:
Confocal Software Updated
- Motorized XY stage control allows time lapse observations at multiple locations of the sample. Imaging of adjacent fields allows creation of image mosaics.
- FRET experiments (including donor or acceptor photobleaching) and FRET analysis
- Colocalization analysis
- The Time Controller capabilities have been extended
Posted 8-11-2006:
CytoViva microscopy system demo
Wednesday, September 13th, 2006, starting at 11AM, in the MIC conference room. Please bring your samples to try it out!
The CytoViva system (http://www.cytoviva.com) consists of two primary components, the high resolution adapter-condenser and the Dual Mode Fluorescence module, and can be retrofitted to all major microscope stands (inverted and upright). The CytoViva High Resolution Adapter enables the user to achieve resolving power <100 nm with detection limits <50nm. The CytoViva Dual Mode Fluorescence Module enables the user to optically view fluorescence labels and unstained samples simultaneously and in real time. The intent is to find the appropriate image containing both labeled and unlabeled features of the live sample.
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New 100x/1.4 objective for Olympus confocal
The confocal microscope now has a new 100x/1.4 UPLSAPO oil immersion objective. This replaces the 60x objective that was originally installed and provides higher resolution and better chromatic correction.
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Argon ion laser replaced on the Olympus confocal system
On 7-25-2006 the Argon ion laser has been replaced under warranty. Users please note that there is a change in procedures: Because frequent turning on/of shortens the life of the Argon laser, this laser should be left ON during the day and turned off by the last user. Please check the web scheduler or contact Stan Vitha to see if somebody is scheduled to use the confocal system after you.
Posted 6-5-2006:
High-Resolution Live Cell Imaging Demo: June 8-9, 2006
The MIC is co-hosting the Applied Precision's (http://www.appliedprecision.com) mobile Cell Imaging Lab equipped with the Deltavision RT deconvolution system for low-light, high-resolution live cell imaging, and the CellWorx high content cellular imaging system. Demo locations: June 8th, the mobile lab will be parked next to the Reynolds Medical Building on West Campus; June 9th: Main Campus, near the Microscopy and Imaging Center, at the intersection of Lubbock and Nagle, near the Horticulture Greenhouse (see map below). Researchers are welcome to bring their samples to the demo. Contact Stan Vitha (845-1607, vitha@mic.tamu.edu) for more information. 
Posted 5-10-2006:
Confocal user support in May
Stan Vitha will be out of town from 5-12-2006 until 5-30-2006. In the meantime, light microscopy support is covered by Tom Stephens (845-1165; tstephen@mic.tamu.edu)
Posted 5-10-2006:
New cooling system for the Olympus confocal microscope was installed.
The new cooling system should help keep the room temperature reasonably cool when using the Argon ion laser.
Posted 5-10-2006:
The Rolera XR CCD camera is still not available.
We are waiting for the replacement cooled model to be delivered.
Olympus Confocal Installation Completed, User Fees Set
The confocal microscope has been installed and is now running according to specifications. Beginning April 1st, 2006, usage fees will be charged for the instrument. See the "user fees" page for the current rates.
Posted 2-6-06:
Pelco Biowave
Please be aware that the Microscopy and Imaging Center possesses cold microwave technology with the Pelco Biowave.