Conventional microscopy analysis

We have six widefield microscopes with monochrome and color cameras to acquire images with transmitted light (brightfield, phase contrast and Nomarski/DIC) and fluorescence.Image processing and evaluation are offered with the licensed software Metamorph (Molecular Devices) and Deconvolution with Huygens (S.V.I).
We have three widefield microscopes with incubation chambers for temperature, humidity and CO2 control to develop long-term in vivo experiments.
We have two perfusion systems:
1) "Open Diamond Bath Imaging Chambers for Round Coverslips (RC-25, RC-25F)" with the "Eight Channel Perfusion Valve Control System (VC-8)" of Warner Instruments/Harvard Apparatus installed in the AF6000 FX widefield microscope from Leica.
2) POCmini perfusion system from Pecon with a pump system for up to two syringes which can be used in every microscope.
Additionally, Huygens software (SVI) is available to make the deconvolution of the resulting images to increase their optical resolution.
To get details about the equipment features go to our Web page: http://www.cbm.csic.es/confocal
Experience from 2000.
To use them contact with the SMOC personnel:
Phone number: 34-91 196 4643
E-mail: confocal-cbm@listas.csic.es

Multiposition time-lapse experiments with transmitted light microscopy techniques: brightfield, phase contrast or DIC (Nomarski). Z series acquisition capabilities and contrast based autofocus maintenance.
Some application examples: wound healing, tracking, migration, cell death or proliferation, etc.

It allows to different research groups of IATA , as well as other research centers and companies, a microscopic observation and digital microphotography of different types of food samples or materials used in the food industry, using different optical microscopy techniques such as bright field , polarized light , phase contrast , inter-differential or Nomarsky contrast.
These samples can be observed at different magnifications thanks to the available objectives (4x , 20x , 40x , 100x )

Two optical microscopes with adapters for photographic camera:
Nikon Eclipse E-800.
Nikon Eclipse E-2000 with inverted optics.

Optical microscope OLYMPUS BX51. It allows the easy switching between the methods of observation by transmission mode (transparent samples) to reflection mode (opaque samples) giving a magnificent optical performance and an outstanding fluorescence capacity, optimizing the contrast and resolution thanks to the Nomarski DIC lens. It has 4 lenses (5, 20, 50 and 100) x10, OLYMPUS camera with DP20 controller and mercury lamp for fluorescence observation U-RFL-T.

The Micromorphology Lab of EEAD uses plastic resins for impregnating samples of soils, sediments, or other consolidated or loose materials. We cut the impregnated blocks with diamond saw to obtain tablets with one plane face. Thin sections 25 µm thick are manufactured for studies under polarized light. Lapping and rectification are performed with light oil to avoid leaching of water soluble minerals.
The standard size of our tablets and thin sections are 135 × 58 mm or 58 mm × 45 mm. These sizes allow detection of meso-morphological features like pedological or sedimentary structure, faunal features, distribution of detrital or anthropogenic elements, animal and vegetal remains, etc. The thin sections are mounted on glass standards, and can be glass-covered for study under microscope and long-term conservation.

- Observation of cell cultures with phase-contrast microscope for studyng cell morphology and culture conditions .
- Fluorescenc microscope analysis of samples from cell cultures stained with Hoechst 33258 to evaluate its potential mycoplasma contamination

Convetional analysis of animal tissue samples for optical microscopy.
Immunohistochemical processing of histological sections for the deteccion of viruses, bacterias or protozoa and the characterization of cell populations (e.g. leukocytes or epithelial cells) or the expression of relevant molecules (e.g. cytoquines, cytoplasmic antigens..)

Conducting fecal analysis and culture of parasitic worms with McMaster chamber through flotation, sedimentation, and larval migration techniques.

We offer different wide field microscopes, direct and inverted, equipped with brightfield, interdiferencial contrast (DIC) and phase contrast techniques.
Microscope Eclipse 90i (Nikon)
Upright Microscope fully motorized.
Illumination: LED P300 Coolled
Objectives: Plan-APOCHROMAT (4x/0.2, 20x/0.75, 40x/0.95, 60x/1.4 oil, 100x/1.4 oil) and Plan-Fluor 10x/0.3. We also have available a Plan-ACHROMAT UW 2x/0.06.
Filter Configuration:
UV-2E/C DAPI (Ex-340-380 Em-435-485), B-2E/C FITC (Ex-465-495 Em-515-550), Y-2E/C Red (Ex-540-580 Em-600-660), mCherry (Ex-537-587 Em-600-686) and Cy 5 HYQ (Ex-590-650 Em-663-738).
Cameras: Nikon monochrome (DS-Qi1Mc) and color (DS-Fi1).
Software: NIS-Elements BR 3.01
Microscope Eclipse E400 (Nikon)
Upright Microscope
Objectives: 10x/0.25, 20x/0.4, 40x/0.75, Plan-APOCHROMAT 60x/1.4 oil and Plan-Fluor 100x/1.3 oil
Filter Configuration:
DAPI (Ex-330-380 Em-420), Green (Ex-450-490 Em-520) y Red (Ex-510-560 Em-590).
Camera: DP500 (Olympus).
Software: ViewFinder de Olympus.
Microscope Axiovert 135 (Zeiss) is an inverted microscope with transmitted and reflected light, presents filters for FITC and Red. The camera attached, Ds-2MBWc (Nikon), is managed by NIS Elements F. 3.0 software. The objectives are ACHROSTIGMAT (10x, 20x, 32x) from Zeiss and 40x (Nikon).

- Composition (maceral analysis) and rank determination (vitrinite reflectance) of coals: Application: coal characterization, coal basin analysis, coal blend analysis, determination of contaminants in coal supplies, etc.
- Composition (type of organic matter and / or kerogen) and organic maturity degree (vitrinite reflectance and qualitative and quantitative fluorescence). Application: basin analysis and geothermal history, assessment of fossil fuels, conventional and non-conventional hydrocarbon systems (i.e.: oil shales, source rocks, gas shales), etc.
- Identification and quantitative assessment of organic particles of different types (i.e.: coke, graphites, additives in cuttings, etc.). Application: quality control, environmental pollution, etc.

The Service is equipped with a vertical microscope for acquisition of transmitted light images:
Leica DM2000: transmited light, high sensitivity and resolution.
Personalized assistance during image acquisition and quantification provided by the Service.

Equipment:
- Nikon Eclipse E1000 with brightfield transmitted light, phase contrast and epi-fluorescence and digital photography.
- Zeiss Axioplan microscope with brightfield and phase contrast and digital photography.
- Inverted Leica CTR4000 microscope with brightfield transmitted light, phase contrast and epi-fluorescence and digital photography.
- Inverted Olympus IX70 fluorescence microscope, with phase contrast and epi-fluorescence and digital photography.
- Wild M420 stereomicroscope for digital photomicrography.
We provide the possibility of observing and conducting digital micrographs in transmitted light microscopy or fluorescence of biological samples and tissue sections.
The observation can be by self-service or by help of specialized personnel.
We provide the possibility of observing and conducting digital micrographs in inverted microscope of transmitted light or fluorescence from cell cultures grown on well plates.
The observation can be by self-service or by help of specialized personnel.
USER DUTIES:
1) Read and respect the rules and instructions of microscopes usage, both placed in the Web site (https://www.iibb.csic.es/ ) and arranged on the notice board of the instruments.
2) Book the instruments through the IIBB intranet (internal users) or by contacting the persons in charge of the service (external users).
3) Receive the necessary training from the technical staff until necessary. Once the user can manage the equipment without technical assistance, he shall be regarded as "advanced user" of such a system.
4) Leave the equipment and material clean and protected after use.
5) Notify the technical staff about any incident or problem observed.
6) Respect safety rules.