Microscopy Shared Resource
Mission
The Microscopy Shared Resource (MSR) provides researchers with the equipment and expertise to examine subcellular details at high resolution by both light and electron microscopy and the ability to perform quantitative image analysis. Staff is available for consultation, instruction, assistance, and collaboration.
Services
Massey members pay 75 percent of these rates per the member subsidy program.
- Electron microscopy (TEM, SEM)
- Confocal laser scanning microscopy
- Spinning disc confocal microscopy
- Multi-photon laser scanning microscopy
- Structured Illumination microscopy (SIM) (“super-resolution” microscopy)
- Fluorescence microscopy
- Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence microscopy (TIRF)
- Sample preparation
- Live-cell imaging
- Immuno-localization (fluorescence, EM)
- Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP)
- Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)
- Stereology
- Image analysis
Facility
To use the MSR facility, investigators must submit a VCU Microscopy Facility Use Authorization form [PDF] and be trained by MSR staff. Training sessions are arranged by contacting the director, Tytus Bernas at tytus.bernas@vcuhealth.org or (804) 828-0949. Advice is available on a number of microscopy techniques including immunocytochemistry, live cell imaging, FRET, FRAP, and image analysis.
Signup for Equipment reservations using the VCU Resource Scheduler. Signup Instructions are available if you need assistance using the VCU CORES resource scheduler.
Facility Fees
Below are the rates for VCU investigators.
| EQUIPMENT | SERVICE |
FEES
|
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Electron Microscopy |
Processing: Plastic embedding of tissue, pellets |
$20/ea. |
| Scanning Electron Microscopy | Tissue Processing: Critical Point Drying HMDS Gold coating of samples (up to 6 per run) |
30/run 15/ea. 5/ea. |
| Electron Microscopy (TEM and SEM) |
Technician time Electron Microscopes – beam time Training |
35/hr. 40/hr. 200/session |
| Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy | Assisted use Unassisted use (Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-6 p.m.) Unassisted use (Mon.-Fri., 6 p.m.-12 a.m., Sat.-Sun.) Unassisted use (midnight - 8 a.m., holidays) Training |
75/hr. 20/hr. 10/hr. 5/hr. 200/session |
| Multi-photon Laser Scanning Microscopy (2-Photon LSM) | Assisted use Unassisted use (Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-6 p.m.) Unassisted use (Mon.-Fri., 6 p.m.-12 a.m., Sat.-Sun.) Unassisted use (midnight - 8 a.m., holidays) Training |
75/hr. 20/hr. 10/hr. 5/hr. 200/session |
| Structured Illuminatino Microscopy | Assisted use Unassisted use (Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-6 p.m.) Unassisted use (Mon.-Fri., 6 p.m.-12 a.m., Sat.-Sun.) Unassisted use (midnight - 8 a.m., holidays) Training |
75/hr. 20/hr. 10/hr. 5/hr. 200/session |
| TIRF Microscope | Assisted use Unassisted use Training |
75/hr. 5/hr. 100/session. |
| Spinning Disc Confocal Microscopy | Assisted use Unassisted use Training |
75/hr. 5/hr. 100/session. |
| Neurolucida system | Assisted use Unassisted use Training |
45/hr. 5/hr. 5/hr. |
| Widefield Microscopy | Assisted use Unassisted use Training |
45/hr. 5/hr. 5/hr. |
| Stereology system | Assisted use Unassisted use Training |
45/hr. 5/hr. 5/hr. |
| Fluorescence stereoscope | Assisted use Unassisted use Training |
45/hr. 5/hr. 5/hr. |
| Microdissection system | Assisted use Unassisted use Training |
45/hr. 5/hr. 5/hr. |
| Cryostat & Vibratome | Unassisted use Assisted use |
2.50/hr. 25/hr. |
Massey member subsidy benefit
Massey subsidizes 25 percent of the cost of members’ core laboratory usage for the following Massey-supported, fee-for-service shared resources:
- Flow Cytometry Shared Resource
- VCU Lipidomics/Metabolomics Shared Resource
- Structural Biology Shared Resource
- Tissue and Data Acquisition and Analysis Core
- Transgenic/Knock-out Mouse Facility Shared Resource
- Microscopy Shared Resource
To receive this member benefit, please initiate core lab services using a VCU index code associated with your name. When you are billed for core laboratory usage, the Rams FORCE system will automatically split the invoice between your index code and a Massey account established for this purpose. You will be charged 75 percent of the published rate and Massey will provide a 25 percent co-pay to cover the balance. Please direct any questions or concerns about the member subsidy benefit to Paul Fawcett, Ph.D. at pfawcett@vcu.edu or (804) 833-1959.
Contact information
VCU Microscopy Facility
Department of Anatomy and Neurology
VCU School of Medicine
1101 East Marshall Street
Box 980709
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0709
(804) 828-0949
Microscopy Facility Personnel
Tytus Bernas, Ph.D.
Facility director
(804) 828-0949
tytus.bernas@vcuhealth.org
Judy Williamson
Electron Microscopy
(804) 828-9648
judy.williamson@vcuhealth.org
Frances White
Light Microscopy
(804) 828-9366
frances.white@vcuhealth.org
Holly Carlson
Electron Microscopy
(804) 827-2141
holly.carlson@vcuhealth.org
Resources
Software resources:
- cellSens (online cellSens video tutorials)
- Gatan Digital Micrograph
- Fiji
- ICY
- ImageJ
- Image-Pro Premier 3D
- Leica LCS Lite
- Neurolucida 360(NL 360)
- NIH Image
- Nikon NIS-Elements Viewer
- OMERO (Open Microscopy Environment)
- Stereo Investigator(SI)
- Zeiss Zen Lite
Microscopy-related resources:
- Fluorescence Spectra Viewer (Invitrogen)
- Fluorescence Spectrum Viewer (BD Biosciences)
- Fluorescence Spectra Viewer (Chroma)
- Fluorescent Protein Properties (NIC UCSF)
- Leica Science Lab
- Microscopy Society of America
- MicroWorld Resources and News
- Molecular Expressions
- Nikon Microscopy U
- Nyquist Rate and PSF calculator
- Olympus Microscopy Resource Center
- Omega Filters Curv-o-matic
- Two-photon cross-sections
- Zeiss Microimaging Online Campus
Citation
All publications that include results, services or products generated by VCU Massey Cancer Center Shared Resources must include the following acknowledgement in the manuscript:
"Services and products in support of the research project were generated by the Microscopy Shared Resource, supported, in part, with funding from NIH-NCI Cancer Center Support Grant P30 CA016059."
PubMed Central (PMC) ID numbers are required for those publications that use CCSG-supported shared resources. All of Massey Cancer Center's shared resources are supported by the CCSG.
