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Total Approximate Time: Complete course is 20 hours + 8 hours of practice exercises
Prerequisites: None, but it is expected that users have some basic biology/biomedical training.
Date: June 11-15th, 2012
Application Deadline: TBA
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This comprehensive course takes the student through all aspects of fluorescence microscopy in five 4-hour sessions that include dynamic presentations (25%) and hands-on training and experience on a variety of microscopes (75%). An addition, independent afternoon practice sessions (4 of the 5 days) will be made available for participants who wish to practice and further enhance their skill and understanding. The topics are as follows.

Day 1 - Fundamentals of Microscopy: how microscopes work, properties of light, contrast and resolution. Day 2 - Confocal I : basic confocal imaging, optimizing channels, 3D Z-stacks, projections, spinning disk microscopy, two-photon microscopy. Day 3 - Multidimensional Fluorescence Microscopy: multi-channel, multi-location, 3D, timelapse and live-cell imaging Day 4 - Advanced Optical Microscopy: optimizing for live-cell imaging, FRAP, spectral deconvolution, other advanced techniques and considerations in live cell imaging. Day 5 - Image Processing and Analysis: calibrations, filters, contrast enhancement, colocalization, deconvolution and digital pattern recognition. Note: On this day, there will be no afternoon practice sessions. Schedule: The morning sessions, running from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, consist of presentations and instructor guided, hands on exercises on various instruments. The elective afternoon sessions consist of challenging, independent exercises intended to enhance participants understanding and experience on our various microscopes. Cost: The complete course is $900 (Note: The cost for industrial users is twice this amount). Internal UHN research staff may opt out of afternoon sessions, but the complete course (with afternoon practice sessions) is highly recommended to solidify your microscopy training. The abbreviated course with morning sessions only is $700. How to apply: Complete the application form digitally, then print the completed form, and send it to us by email or fax as per the instructions at the top of the application form. Deadline for application is November 14th, 2011. Due to the practical nature of the course we insist on only 3 people per microscope, and therefore can only accomodate 9 participants. Apply early! Upon completion: Graduates of the course will receive a non-accredited certificate, a foundational understanding of fluorescence microscopy and several hours of hands on experience performing routine and advanced techniques. Previous participants comment on the AOMF Comprehensive Course on Fluorescence Microscopy: “I came into the course with very little knowledge of fluorescence microscopy. I now have what I feel is a solid background of understanding on which i can build as required by my research.” “It was very instructive. I am trying some of the methods that I learned in the workshop in a few weeks and I think now I have more confidence in using the AOMF facility for my research purposes.”