Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope with Red Excitation

Zeiss Pascal Vario Two RGB

Location

Biotechnology Building, Room 207A

Support

Purchase of this instrument was supported in part by a gift of the Lichtenstein Foundation to the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.

Overview

Zeiss LSM 5 PASCAL Vario Two RGB system coupled to a Zeiss Axiovert 200 microscope.

  • LSM 5 PASCAL system
    • Two fluorescence channels
    • DIC transmitted channel
    • Maximum scan resolution 2048 x 2048 pixels, 12 bits
  • Laser lines:
    • Ar laser 458, 488, 514 nm, 25 mW
    • HeNe laser 543 nm, 1 mW
    • HeNe laser 633 nm, 5 mW
  • Zeiss LSM software
  • Axiovert 200 inverted microscope
    • Motorized z-axis control
    • Epifluorescence
    • DIC

Usage

  1. The Zeiss LSM5confocal scanning microscope is available to members of the Washington University Medical School and scientists from other research institutions, both educational and commercial, who have completed a basic training session and reserved a time slot.
  2. Training sessions can be scheduled by contacting Kris (362-4876, hyrck@neuro.wustl.edu). The training session may be attended by 1-3 people and takes about two hours. The mandatory training covers the procedures of the Alafi Neuroimaging Laboratory, introduction to the principles of confocal microscopy and basic operations of the microscope controlled by Zeiss AIM software. There is a flat fee of $100 for each training session. After completing the mandatory training session, the user is granted access to the facility and can work independently.
  3. Users can reserve time slots on “first come first serve” basis using our web-based calendar (www.calendar.yahoo.com; Login ID: alaficonfocal633, contact Gary or Kris for password). When signing up, please put down just your computer login ID into the timeslot’s “TITLE” field. Other information (for your own use) may be put into the calendar’s “NOTES” field for that time slot.
  4. Assistance in solving imaging problems and answering application questions is readily available by contacting Kris (lab: 362-4876, hyrck@neuro.wustl.edu) or Gary (cell: 314-647-1812, microscope@zootalk.net) during normal business hours (9 a.m.-5p.m.).
  5. The users might want to check the calendar for urgent messages regarding the instrument status and staff availability.
  6. Users planning to work after hours or on weekends should make sure that they have everything they need (room access, working passwords, etc.) to complete their tasks prior to scheduling their work as staff assistance might not be available.
  7. All comments and concerns regarding our facility, equipment and procedures should be directed to Kris or Gary.
  8. To allow a fair and efficient utilization of the microscopes, we recommend that:
    1. The microscope should be reserved in advance for the time that is needed to perform the desired tasks.
    2. Time reservation gives the user absolute priority over unscheduled/extended usage. Still, showing some flexibility would be greatly appreciated.
    3. Time reservations that cannot be utilized should be cancelled as soon as possible to let other users use all available time. Reservations not cancelled by 12.00 pm (noon) on the preceding day will be subject to “reserved/unused” time charge corresponding to 50% of normal rates.

More information

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