Introduction to microscopy (in person)
Research Skills
Tuesday, 21 March 2023, 10.30am to 3pm
Apply for this courseThis half-day training course is delivered by Nikon Healthcare UK on behalf of MSD Skills training and introduces MSD postgraduate researchers to microscopy and provides hands-on experience of brightfield, phase contrast and fluorescence components.
Please allow time to get to the teaching venue ‘How to get here’ page., the Institute of Reproductive Sciences, at the Oxford Business Park in Cowley,
COURSE DESCRIPTION
During this introductory session, you will receive microscopy laboratory induction and health and safety training followed by an explanation of how microscope components and configurations enable image manipulation to magnify, resolve or add additional contrast to images. You will then be given an overview of brightfield and its components, followed by hands-on time with the microscope. This is followed by instruction on the Köhler illumination set-up, and then introduction to phase microscopy, phase contrast components and hands-on time with the microscope.
After lunch you will receive an introduction to fluorescence microscopy followed by hands on time with the microscope and NIS Elements software.
On this course, you will:
- Learn about microscope components, configurations and light paths
- Gain an overview of brightfield and its components
- Find out about the Köhler illumination set-up
- Receive an introduction on phase contrast and its components
- Benefit from hands-on practice time with the microscope for brightfield and phase contrast.
- Learn about resolution and magnification
- Discover fluorescence – the fundamentals of excitation and emission
- Be introduced to the fluorescence microscope, including filters, light source, camera.
- Learn about fluorescent proteins, probes and matching them with appropriate filters
- Identify challenges of using fluorescence microscopy – photo bleaching and toxicity
- Learn about NIS elements software - image capture, visualization, and processing
PARTICIPANT NUMBERS
20
HOW IT WILL WORK
The course will be delivered at specialist laboratory facilities at the Institute of Reproductive Sciences (Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford). The Institute is based at the Oxford Business Park in Cowley. Laboratory consumables (including gloves, slides and lab coats) and lunch will be provided.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
You will need to guarantee you are able to attend promptly as the laboratory space health and safety induction at the start is compulsory for participation in the course.