Module 1

Advanced Light Microscopy (University of Zurich, campus Irchel)

In this module, you will learn how to select the most appropriate advanced light microscopy technique such as confocal laser scanning, multiphoton or super resolution (STED) microscopy for your project. Lectures will teach you to understand resolution, multicolor fluorescence acquisition, aberrations and deconvolution in light microscopy. Practical trainings to apply the concepts from lectures will be on advanced widefield, confocal laser scanning, multiphoton, and super resolution microscopes with cell and tissue samples for multicolor and 3D imaging.

Contact:

Dr. Jana Döhner
Center for Microscopy and Image Analysis
University of Zurich
jana.doehner@zmb.uzh.ch
+41 44 635 06 24

Learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, you should be able to

  • know, how to correctly operate advanced microscopes, ranging from widefield imaging over laser scanning systems and multiphoton microscopy, and systems which enhance your resolution by overcoming the diffraction limit
  • decide which microscopic system suits best my research needs
  • understand and apply the underlying basics and main concepts of microscopy (resolution vs magnification, refraction, optics, NA e.g.) to your future imaging procedure

Practical activities:

  • Operate widefield microscopes to acquire images of fixed samples, as well as live cells (short- and long-term acquisition)
  • Operate laser scanning- and multiphoton microscopes to acquire images of thin and thick samples
  • Operate super resolution confocal laser scanning systems to image fixed samples in order to improve the resolution
  • Measure/image possible aberrations on a defined microscope system

Prerequisites:

  • Have at least practical basic experiences with standard widefield fluorescence microscopy
  • Have an immediate need to apply the trained skills/one of the techniques for your research question at least within a year after the course