Overview of the UW-Madison Genetics Confocal Facility

The facility provides a Zeiss 510 Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope system and know-how for high resolution confocal microscopic imaging, data processing and image analysis. The confocal is located in room 4221 on the 4^th floor of Genetics/Biotech at 425 Henry Mall.  The scope is available for paid use by the Genetics department and associated faculty and labs.

All users receive training on how to use the Zeiss 510 Confocal tailored to their prior knowledge before being allowed to use to the system.  Training is directed towards producing independent users.  Sample preparation is solely the users responsibility.  Advice is available but the facility personnel do not perform experiments, gather data for users or are responsible for scientific outcome.  Use of the confocal scanner is charged on a fee per unit time of use basis.

The facility is under the management of Dr. Ahna Skop and Dr. Barry Ganetzky, with Dr. Daniel Miller and Jessica Shivas serving as trainers and additional management personnel.  

Ahna Skop                 skop@wisc.edu        Office Phone: 262-1593

Daniel Miller              dlmiller3@wisc.edu  Lab Phone:  262-3896

Jessica Shivas          shivas@wisc.edu      Lab Phone: 890-0108

Training in the independent use and proper care of the confocal microscope and the associated computer equipment and software, some advice in experimental design and assistance in optimal use of the equipment and image processing and handling are provided.  Once trained and checked out, users are allowed independent access to the equipment.  Training, which involves major contact time, is done on specific days determined by the trainer.  Simple user questions are answered as needed when time permits.

Calendar Sign Up

A web-based booking calendar system is provided for the facility, and is available from any location to all authorized users (http://genetics.wisc.edu/loc/).  Please allow a day to authorize your use of this calendar.

Transferring files

FTP transfer is available within the department.  Please obtain a login and password from your lab to access the AKKA server. afp://akka.genetics.wisc.edu

Transfer your files to a computer in your lab asap.  WARNING:Any files left on the confocal computer for more than a month will be dumped. 

Laser Excitation Spectrum

Argon:             458nm, 477nm, 488nm, 514nm

Diode:                        405nm  (DAPI)

HeNe:             543nm, 643nm

DPS 561:       561nm

Common Uses for our Lasers

405-UV or DAPI

458-CFP

477-FITC

488-GFP, ALEXA 488

514-YFP

561-Rhodamine, ALEXA 568, CY3

633-ALEXA 647, CY5

Table of Fluorochromes: http://pingu.salk.edu/flow/fluo.html

Molecular Probes Spectra Viewer: http://probes.invitrogen.com/resources/spectraviewer/

Objectives
4X, 10X, 20X, 40X Oil, 63X Oil, 100X Oil

Mercury lamp

DAPI, FITC and Rhodamine dichroic filters are available for sample evaluation and subject location.

DIC

DIC is available.  Transmitted images can be obtained along with your confocal images.

Usage charges

Usage charges will be determined soon.

Use of the general purpose PC and Confocal PC for image analysis processing and preparation (no confocal laser scanning) are provided without charge to authorized users.

All users/trainees are charged at the same rate regardless of Laboratory or Department.

Computers & Usage

The Windows computers in the facility maintain extensive logs of usage of the confocal equipment and ancillary computers used for image processing.  The information from these logs is passed on to the Genetics Department business office, where personnel prepare bills for the confocal scanner time accrued by users.  PIs will be billed via the usual UW-Madison billing channels.

Notes

Initial capital funding for the Zeiss 510 Confocal system was provided by a NSF Grant in 2007, by Barry Ganetzky, PI; Ahna Skop, Francisco Pelegri, Xin Sun, Aki Ikeda, Jerry Yin, co-applicants.  Additional funding was provided by the Genetics Department.