Light Microscopy

Work in the light microscope center can be performed in one of two ways.

1)	The investigator first makes an appointment with the Director of the center, Dr. Alison North, to discuss the proposed experiments and to establish the most suitable protocol. During this session we will decide which microscope system is most appropriate for this specimen or experiment. The investigator completes a Rockefeller University Bio-Imaging (RUBI) account creation form and has it signed by the head of laboratory. The completed form is then faxed to us (ext. 7489) or brought to us in DWB 201to create an account for each user on our server. This form can be obtained from the facility or can be downloaded from the internal RUBI web site (click here). An appointment will then be made for the first training session, after which the user will be encouraged to use the microscopes independently. After initial training, it is left to the individual to approach the staff for further help. We are happy to offer help and advice whenever necessary, but we also respect the fact that many people prefer to be left to their own devices!
2)	Work can be undertaken on a collaborative basis, with experiments and/or image acquisition being performed by the staff of the facility. This may be a more desirable approach if you are particularly busy or see your microscopy as a one-off endeavour.
Cell division and chromosome movement in living kidney epithelial cells, visualized by simultaneous differential interference microscopy and fluorescence with a live cell marker for nucleic acids (red). This time-lapse movie was collected over a period of 4 hours, using the DeltaVision image restoration microscope. Alison North (Rockefeller University)

Electron microscopy

Electron microscopy is generally performed as a drop-off service by our two, highly experienced electron microscopists, Helen Shio and Eleana Sphicas. Work can also be undertaken by the investigators themselves, if they are keen to learn or already have the necessary training and experience. You can discuss this with Alison first or contact Helen and Eleana directly, to arrange a consultation and decide on the best approach.

Hours of operation

New users are trained on the light microscopes between the hours of 9.00 am and 5.00 pm. To use the facility outside these hours all users need a Rockefeller University card activated for access to rooms DWB 201 and 203. We will arrange for the card to be activated but please give us two days prior notice. The electron microscope facility is open between the hours of 9.00 am and 5.00 pm unless special arrangements have been made with Helen or Eleana.

Important information:

Although we aim to help all users as quickly as possible, both the staff and the microscopes are often booked up well in advance. Therefore, try to consult us at least a week before you plan to use the microscopes for the first time - not the day before you have to present your results at a lab meeting or send a paper off for publication! Also, please inform us immediately about any problems you have had with the microscopes so that we can arrange for them to be fixed as quickly as possible.

Acknowledgement policies:

If you feel that you have received good service in the bio-imaging facility, please express your thanks in the form of an acknowledgement in any resulting publications. This will enable us to demonstrate our involvement in the research of a large number of laboratories at the university, aiding the procurement of future equipment. As a courtesy and for copyright purposes we also request that you inform us of the publication of any images that were captured by our staff. Extensive image acquisition by the staff may be expected to result in co-authorship on publications presenting these images.