Confocal Microscopy Core

The Department of Biology at Saint Louis University offers a Leica SP8 confocal microscope with resonant scanner for academic and commercial use. Live-cell imaging can be performed using a stage incubator with programmable gas (O2, CO2 and N2) and temperature controls.

The instrument features 405, 488, 522 and 645 nm diode laser lines, which allow for imaging of most fluorescent dyes with its two HyD and two PMT detectors. The instrument must be reserved on the lab agenda before use.

Reserve on the Lab Agenda

Capabilities

Hourly Rate for Use 

Effective Jan. 1, 2024

• Approved user within the biology department: $35 per hour
• Approved user from outside the biology department:  $35 per hour
• Training sessions for new users within and outside of the biology department: $50 per hour. Basic training requires at least two hours on the microscope; however, additional training may be required following assessment of the new user’s ability to properly operate the SP8 Leica Confocal Microscope. In addition, the passing of a short quiz is mandatory.

Note: Retraining is required for any user who has not used the microscope in three months from their last use at no charge

SP8 Leica Confocal Microscope Misuse Policy

Use of Microscope Without Training

• First offense: $100 plus the cost of the hourly session
• Second offense: $200, plus hourly session time cost and suspension from use of the microscope

Oil Left on Objectives, Dripped on Objective Turret, Stage

• First offense: Reminder
• Second offense: $75 cleaning fee
• Third offense: $150 cleaning fee, plus suspension of use of oil lenses and retraining for use of objectives requiring oil

Modifying the Default Settings (Image Display, Lasers, Optical)

• First offense: Reminder
• Second offense: $75 inconvenience fee
• Third offense: $100 inconvenience fee, plus suspension from use of the microscope

Booking Abuse (Failure to Show up or Failure to Cancel Booking) 

• First offense: Reminder
• Second offense: $25 inconvenience fee
• Third offense: $75 inconvenience fee, plus the cost of the hourly session

Note: Please cancel your booking at least 24 hours prior to the booked time

Improper Shutdown of Microscope

• First offense: Reminder 
• Second offense: $25 wear-and-tear fee
• Third offense: $75 wear-and-tear fee

Tutorials

• Basic Use
• Okolab Stage Incubator
• Colocalization Module
• Resonant Scanning and Lightning Deconvolution
• Leica Microscopy Basics
• Leica Confocal Microscopy
• Leica Digital Microscopy
• Leica Fluorescence Microscopy
• 3D Analysis Module