Shared Resources
Microscopy
OVERVIEW
The Cancer Center Microscopy Shared Resource provides a group of specialized techniques and basic as well as sophisticated equipment necessary to achieve basic research objectives of today's laboratory. The tools that are available enable imaging at the level of the whole animal, individual cells, as well as molecules inside the cells.
Access to Facility Equipment
Contact the microscopy staff for consultation, and to set up training before using any of the equipment. The facility is subsidized for Cancer Center members by the NCI, hence members are charged a relatively lower rate. Basic instruction on a microscope system can take 1 to 4 hours depending on the instrument and experience of the user. For infrequent microscope use, or for imaging material which requires a great deal of expertise, it may be more cost effective to let us assist you. Please contact us to schedule an assisted imaging session. On demand technical assistance is available during business hours should you need help or further consultation.
Services
CONSULTATION
Users are strongly encouraged to discuss their plan of action with the microscopy staff before they start using the equipment. That way they are aware of which systems are best suited for their needs, as well as the proper protocol for sample preparation and staining.
TRAINING
The training covers instrumentation and theory to provide the investigators with a better understanding of the possible uses of the resource and, also its limitations. Once trained, users are granted permission to book and use the microscopes by themselves.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
For infrequent microscope use, or for imaging material which requires a great deal of expertise, it may be more cost effective to let us assist you. Please contact us to schedule an assisted imaging session. On demand technical assistance with the microscopes is available during business hours should you need any more support.
Some techniques such as super resolution imaging may require special reagents and expertise. The microscopy core keeps some reagents on hand, or may be able to make some upon request. Please contact the microscopy staff to see what is available.
Recharge Rates
| Item Code | Item Description | Unit Cost |
|---|---|---|
| DI0004A1 | Technical Support - Participating Member | $22 |
| DI0004A2 | Technical Support - Associate Member | $50 |
| DI0004B | Technical Support - Non-Member, UCSD Faculty | $50 |
| DI0004C1 | Technical Support - Non-University, Non-profit | $73 |
| DI0004C2 | Technical Support - Non-University, For-profit | $73 |
| DI0004C3 | Technical Support - Cancer Centers Council | $73 |
| DI0005A1 | Deconvolution Microscope Rental - Participating Member | $16 |
| DI0005A2 | Deconvolution Microscope Rental - Associate Member | $27 |
| DI0005B | Deconvolution Microscope Rental - Non-Member, UCSD Faculty | $27 |
| DI0005C1 | Deconvolution Microscope Rental - Non-University, Non-profit | $39 |
| DI0005C2 | Deconvolution Microscope Rental - Non-University, For-profit | $39 |
| DI0005C3 | Deconvolution Microscope Rental - Cancer Centers Council | $39 |
| DI0008A1 | Upright, Fluor. Microscope Rental - Participating Member | $8 |
| DI0008A2 | Upright, Fluor. Microscope Rental - Associate Member | $10 |
| DI0008B | Upright, Fluor. Microscope Rental - Non-Member, UCSD Faculty | $10 |
| DI0008C1 | Upright, Fluor. Microscope Rental - Non-University, Non-profit | $15 |
| DI0008C2 | Upright, Fluor. Microscope Rental - Non-University,For-profit | $15 |
| DI0008C3 | Upright, Fluor. Microscope Rental - Cancer Centers Council | $15 |
| DI0009A1 | Conference Microscope Rental - Participating Member | $4 |
| DI0009A2 | Conference Microscope Rental - Associate Member | $6 |
| DI0009B | Conference Microscope Rental - Non-Member, UCSD Faculty | $6 |
| DI0009C1 | Conference Microscope Rental - Non-University, Non-profit | $8 |
| DI0009C2 | Conference Microscope Rental - Non-University, For-profit | $8 |
| DI0009C2 | Conference Microscope Rental - Cancer Centers Council | $8 |
| DI0010A1 | IVIS Imager - Participating Member | $58 |
| DI0010A2 | IVIS Imager - Associate Member | $75 |
| DI0010B | IVIS Imager - Non-Member, UCSD Faculty | $75 |
| DI0010C1 | IVIS Imager - Non-University, Non-profit | $109 |
| DI0010C2 | IVIS Imager - Non-University, For-profit | $109 |
| DI0010C3 | IVIS Imager - Cancer Centers Council | $109 |
| DI0006A1 | Nikon A1R STORM 9-5 - Participating Member | $37 |
| DI0006A2 | Nikon A1R STORM 9-5 - Associate Member | $46 |
| DI0012B | Nikon A1R STORM 9-5 - Non-Member, UCSD Faculty | $46 |
| DI0012C1 | Nikon A1R STORM 9-5 - Non-University, Non-profit | $67 |
| DI0012C2 | Nikon A1R STORM 9-5 - Non-University, For-profit | $67 |
| DI0012C3 | Nikon A1R STORM 9-5 - Cancer Centers Council | $67 |
| DI0013A1 | Nikon A1R STORM outside 9-5 - Participating Member | $24 |
| DI0013A2 | Nikon A1R STORM outside 9-5 - Associate Member | $32 |
| DI0013B | Nikon A1R STORM outside 9-5 - Non-Member, UCSD Faculty | $32 |
| DI0013C1 | Nikon A1R STORM outside 9-5 - Non-University, Non-profit | $47 |
| DI0013C2 | Nikon A1R STORM outside 9-5 - Non-University, For-profit | $47 |
| DI0013C3 | Nikon A1R STORM outside 9-5 - Cancer Centers Council | $47 |
| DI0014A1 | Training - Participating Member | $55 |
| DI0014A2 | Training - Associate Member | $110 |
| DI0014B | Training - Non-Member, UCSD Faculty | $110 |
| DI0014C1 | Training - Non-University, Non-profit | $159 |
| DI0014C2 | Training - Non-University, For-profit | $159 |
| DI0014C3 | Training - Cancer Centers Council | $159 |
| DI0016A1 | Keyence Fluorescence Microscope 9-5 - Participant Member | $18 |
| DI0016A2 | Keyence Fluorescence Microscope 9-5 - Associate Member | $18 |
| DI0016B | Keyence Fluorescence Microscope 9-5 - Non-Member, UCSD Faculty | $24 |
| DI0016C1 | Keyence Fluorescence Microscope 9-5 - Non-University, Non-profit | $35 |
| DI0016C2 | Keyence Fluorescence Microscope 9-5 - Non-University, For-profit | $35 |
| DI0016C3 | Keyence Fluorescence Microscope 9-5 - Cancer Centers Council | $35 |
| DI0017A1 | Keyence Fluorescence Microscope Outside 9-5 - Participant Member | $9 |
| DI0017A2 | Keyence Fluorescence Microscope Outside 9-5 - Associate Member | $12 |
| DI0017B | Keyence Fluorescence Microscope Outside 9-5 - Non-Member, UCSD Faculty | $12 |
| DI0017C1 | Keyence Fluorescence Microscope Outside 9-5 - Non-University, Non-Profit | $18 |
| DI0017C2 | Keyence Fluorescence Microscope Outside 9-5 - Non-University, For-Profit | $18 |
| DI0017C3 | Keyence Fluorescence Microscope Outside 9-5 - Cancer Centers Council | $18 |
Check IGM website for details
Operating Policies
Facility Rules
MICROSCOPE TIME MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE ON THE ONLINE SCHEDULER
Microscopes must be booked on the online scheduler prior to use. If you require technical support or training, 2 weeks advanced request is recommended. Reservations may be made no more than 2 weeks in advance (contact microscopy staff for rules regarding the NikonA1R STORM), and canceled no less than 24 hours before the start of the booking. If you have to cancel a reservation in less than 24 hours, please contact the microscopy staff.
INFORM THE MANAGER OF ANY USAGE THAT DIFFERS FROM THAT IN THE SCHEDULING SYSTEM
If you work longer or shorter than the time slot you scheduled, please contact the microscopy staff so they can modify your session accordingly. If you are found to be using time without scheduling, or using more time than scheduled for, you will be charged fines or your privileges may be revoked.
AFTER-HOURS USE IS ENCOURAGED
Access card activation is available upon request.
TRAININGS ON ANY INSTRUMENTS ARE CONDUCTED BY FACILITY STAFF ONLY
Users may not train new users on any of the microscopes.
BIOSAFETY REGULATIONS HAVE TO BE FOLLOWED BY ALL USERS
The NikonA1R confocal STORM microscope, the Deltavision Deconvolution system, and the Keyence BZ-X710 are housed in a BSL2 room, all other microscopes are in a BSL1 ONLY room.
IMAGE FILES ARE NOT TO BE LEFT ON ANY COMPUTERS FOR LONGER THAN ONE MONTH
All image files will be deleted without warning after this timeframe. If you need an extension to this rule, please let us know.
INSTRUMENTS AND FACILITY MUST BE LEFT IN A TIDY MANNER
Objectives should be free of oil and dirt, and consumables should be disposed of properly. If you need more cleaning supplies, please ask the staff.
IF YOU NOTICE ANYTHING IS BROKEN OR MALFUNCTIONING, PLEASE NOTIFY STAFF
Prompt notification will lead to prompt repair.
ALL EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE TREATED RESPECTFULLY
Persons responsible for equipment damage are financially liable if the equipment was damaged due to improper use. Never attempt to alter hardware of software setups on your own. Any alterations MUST be pre-approved. Any approved modifications to microscope configurations MUST be returned to the previous configuration when the work is complete.
PUBLICATIONS AND/OR ABSTRACTS THAT HAVE EMPLOYED THE FACILITY MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THE CANCER CENTER GRANT P30 CA23100
Any work utilizing Cancer Center equipment or staff support, or funded by NCI, must acknowledge the UCSD Cancer Center Microscopy Shared Facility Specialized Support Grant P30 CA23100-28. Cancer Center equipment is listed under the Cancer Center scheduling calendar and supported by Kersi Pestonjamasp.
MICROSCOPY LINKS
- Microscope: NikonUSA
- Stanford University Cell Sciences Imaging Facility (wealth of information)
- Secondary antibodies:
- Molecular Probes Inc. (good inventory of alexafluor antibodies)
- Jackson ImmunoResearch (great inventory of secondaries: cat, rat, horse…)
- Note on secondary antibodies: To reduce the possibility of artifactual cross-reaction of a secondary antibody to inappropriate primary antibodies in multi-plexed staining, use secondary antibodies that have been affinity-purified to limit cross-reaction.
- Protocols for staining and troubleshooting:
- Dako Cytomation (great staining and troubleshooting tips)
- BD Biosciences
Contact
Director
David J. Hall, PhD, DABR
Professor of Radiology
E-mail: djhall@ucsd.edu
Contact
Kersi Pestonjamasp, PhD
Manager of Resource
E-mail: kpestonjamasp@ucsd.edu
Phone: 760-815-1025
Location: Moores Cancer Center, Fourth Floor, Room 4304