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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.


Equipment and Software

Protocols

 

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.

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

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