The Neuroscience Imaging Core provides neuroscience researchers with the training, expertise and equipment that they need to perform fluorescence confocal microscopy of cells, tissues and zebrafish embryos in the living and fixed state. We provide access to well-maintained wide-field, point-scanning and spinning disk confocal microscopes, as well as expert consultation and assistance with design and execution of imaging experiments.

Core Director
Anthony Brown, PhD
Anthony.Brown2@osumc.edu

Core Manager
Paula Monsma
Monsma.1@osu.edu
614-293-0939

Location
Rightmire Hall

Available Services

Capabilities include support for long-term time-lapse imaging of cells, tissue slices and zebrafish embryos, advanced imaging applications such as imaging tiling, photoactivation, FRAP and FRET, 3D rendering, and sophisticated image processing and analysis capabilities.

Please see our Terms of Service and User Fee Structure for specifics regarding use of this core.

User Fees

Confocal billing rate $25 /hour
Axiophot billing rate $5 /hour
Consultation No charge

Andor Confocal

Andor Revolution WD Spinning Disk Confocal

SpinningDiskPhotoThe Andor Revolution WD is the Imaging Core’s spinning disk laser confocal system, ideal for live imaging of cells, tissues and zebrafish embryos. 

Features include:

  • Inverted Nikon TiE microscope, fully motorized
  • Nikon Perfect FocusTM focus stabilization system
  • High Numerical Aperture (NA) oil and water immersion objectives
  • Differential interference contrast microscopy
  • Okolab stage-top incubator with temperature and (CO2) control
  • Okolab objective heater
  • Motorized XYZ piezo stage
  • Two Andor Ultra EMCCD cameras
  • One Andor Neo sCMOS camera
  • Simultaneous two-color imaging (GFP/RFP or CFP/YFP)
  • Yokogawa CSU-W1 fully motorized confocal scanner unit
  • Efficient bypass mode allows for wide-field imaging
  • Six laser lines: 405nm, 445nm, 488nm, 515nm, 561nm, 640nm
  • FRAPPA laser-galvo scanner
  • FRAP, FRET, photoactivation and photoconversion applications
  • MetaMorphTM Premier software for image acquisition and analysis

Click here for information about objectives and lasers.

Click here for a detailed description. 

Zeiss Airyscan

Zeiss LSM 900 Airyscan 2 Point Scanning Confocal

Zeiss RoomThe Zeiss LSM 900 Airyscan 2 is the Imaging Core’s point-scanning laser confocal system, ideal for imaging of fixed specimens.

System features:

  • Zeiss Observer 7 fully-motorized inverted microscope stand
  • High Numerical Aperture (NA) oil and water immersion objectives
  • Four laser lines: 405nm, 488nm, 561nm and 640nm 
  • Variable secondary dichroic mirrors for detection and cross-talk optimization
  • Two high sensitivity GaAsP detectors with variable pinhole sizes
  • One Airyscan “superresolution” detector
  • Freely rotatable scan area
  • Motorized stage
  • Ability to scan user-defined regions of interest
  • Differential interference contrast optics
  • One transmitted light detector
  • Zen Blue 3.0 software package
  • Multiplex module for faster parallelized image acquisition
  • Sample Navigator module for improved sample navigation

Click here for information about objectives and lasers.

Click here for a detailed description.

Zeiss Axiophot

Zeiss Axiophot Microscope

The Zeiss Axiophot is a basic upright wide-field microscope for monochrome and true-color brightfield and epifluorescent imaging. 

Click here for information about objectives and filter cubes.

Click here for a detailed description. 

Training and Scheduling

Microscope Training

You must attend a training seminar to use the microscope. Seminars are held in Rightmire Hall. Please contact the imaging core manager, Paula Monsma, at 614-293-0939 or monsma.1@osu.edu for the seminar schedule.

Andor Revolution WD Manuals and Handouts

Andor Training Handout: Downloading a copy of the handout does not override the need to attend a training seminar.

Andor Microscope Manual: Click here for a copy of the manual located in the confocal room.

Zeiss LSM 900 Airyscan 2 Manuals and Handouts

Zeiss LSM900 Training Handout: Click here for a copy of the handout, for your convenience. However, you will still need to attend a training seminar.

Microscope Scheduling

Scheduling for each instrument is coordinated online. Please contact the Facility Manager, Paula Monsma, at 614-293-0939 or monsma.1@osu.edu for access to the scheduling calendar.

Access Policy

Trainee: Supervised, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

  • Required experience: Seminar and minimum of two hands-on training sessions. Advancement decided on a case-by-case basis.

Standard User: Unsupervised, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

  • Required experience: Seminar and minimum of 10 unsupervised sessions. Advancement decided on a case-by-case basis.

Experienced User: Unsupervised, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., as well as evenings and weekends

  • Required experience: Advancement decided on a case-by-case basis.
Selected Publications

Selected Publications

Publications that have benefitted from imaging core services.

Helpful Links