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Approximate Time: 1-2hrs
Pre-requisite: Widefield Microscope Training
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This is an extension of the widefield microscope training course. It provides training on a specific technique, such as TIRF microscopy, tiling, darkfield, and timelapse imaging. These techniques are not available on all the widefield microscopes. Please come talk to us about your application before booking a training, so that we can help you choose the right instrument. Here are some of the techniques available:

• Tiling (Olympus Upright): Specialized software is used to automatically acquire adjacent images across a user-defined tissue area. The microscope is also fitted with motorized filters, so that multiple fluorphores can be acquired at each position. The images are then stitched together to create a composite image of the area of interest. The training will include:
  • Software setup (calibrations, setting parameters, etc.)
  • How to choose the tissue region to tile
  • Stitching of the final image
• TIRF (Nikon TIRF System): Utilizes the evanescent wave created by internal reflection to image features on the surface of a speciment at high resolution. For a more detailed description, click here. The training will include:
  • Software setup
  • How to optimize the light illumination angle to get total internal reflection
  • Capturing images
• Timelapse imaging (AxioObserver): Is used to acquire a sequence of images in time to observe a dynamic event. The training will include:
  • Stage-top incubator setup (if required)
  • How to set up a time sequence in the software (choosing number of images, delay, channels, etc.)
  • Saving the sequence as a movie file (including setting playback speeds/frame rates, etc.)
• Darkfield (Olympus Upright): is a transmitted light technique that can be used to achieve greater contrast in images of unstained, transparent specimens. It is often used to reveal external morphology: outlines, boundaries, edges and refractive index gradients. Some examples of specimens that are ideal for darkfield microscopy include zooplankton, diatoms, small insects, fibers, cultured cells as well as non-biological specimens having porosity differences or refractive index gradients. The training will include:
  • Theory of darkfied illumination
  • Setting up/optimizing the microscope components for darkfield illumination