Service Unit
Our group provides services and support in field of advanced microscopy for employees of the IEM as well as for the external users. We secure access to the devices, routine service, training, booking system and consultations. Users can access variety of devices from basic fluorescent microscope to the cutting-edge two-photon system for in vivo studies.
Our group provides services and support in the field of advanced microscopy for employees of the IEM as well as for the external users. We secure access to the devices, routine service, training, booking system and consultations.
Our group also operate facility for advanced imaging of behaving animals (BSL2), which offers advance 3D imaging system and complete equipment for live animal manipulation.
Our facility is a member of Czech-Bioimaging (open in a new window) , the national research infrastructure for biological and medical imaging. The facility provides an open access for various imaging technologies. It is also the part of the larger international project Euro-Bioimaging (open in a new window). If you would like to use our facility for your research, don’t be afraid to contact us.
We currently provide seven microscopes available directly through the reservation system. Access to other devices is possible by prior arrangement at the specific workplace.
Upright two-photon microscope designed for in vivo imaging of small rodents
Available
The basic training is mandatory for every user.
The training usually consists of two sessions, each lasting two hours. The user is provided with a basic theoretical framework during the first session, during which they attempt to acquire an image with the help of the technician. The second session is hands-on, and the user gains practical skills needed to operate the microscope.
The course can be adapted to the user’s individual needs and abilities. It is possible to shorten the session in case of experienced users. It is also possible to add more sessions if necessary.
It is advantageous to bring your own samples, but it is not necessary.
Trained users, who have not used the microscope for more than 12 months, must attend the renewal training. The training has a form of technician’s assistance during the user’s experiment.
The facility provides training and assistance for specialized methods and techniques, which are not covered by the basic training. These methods include super-resolution microscopy with Airyscan detector, multiphoton microscopy, FRAP (fluorescence recovery after photobleaching), incubation (temperature and atmosphere control), or DIC (differential interference contrast), among others. We also offer consultation and assistance with experimental design or advanced microscope settings.
The facility staff can assist users in selecting the most suitable software for their specific research question and provide training for the software available at the workstations. If needed, direct support with data analysis can be provided, and in specialized cases, custom-made software can be developed on request.
We organise specialist courses during the year, focusing on basic and advanced microscopy techniques.
The next course is planned for 10/2023.
We provide access to the facilities in Open Access mode and in accordance with the following rules:
For external users
According to the mandatory publicity, please include the following information in your publications if you use the Microscopy service:
“Microscopy was done at the Microscopy Service Centre of the Institute of Experimental Medicine CAS supported by the MEYS CR (LM2023050 Czech-Bioimaging).”
In case of using the devices listed below, please further specify:
Funded by the NanoEnviCz project
“This work was funded by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic (Research Infrastructure NanoEnviCZ, LM2018124) and The European Union-European Structural and Investments Funds in the frame of the Research Development and Education-project Pro-NanoEnviCz operational program (Project No. CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16_013/0001821).”
