Zeiss AxioObserver Fluorescence Microscope

  • Inverted microscope for imaging fixed or live cells and/or bacteria.
  • Equipped with X-Cite lamp for fluorescence, plus standard DAPI, GFP, dsRed, CFP, and YFP filters.
  • Objectives:  10x, 20x LWD, 40x LWD, 100x oil.
  • Features: Three stage inserts (universal, 96-well plate holder, and temperature-controlled environmental chamber for 35mm dishes and chambered coverglass).  20x and 40x long-working distances lenses for viewing cells through plastic culture dishes and plates. 100x phase contrast lens for easy viewing of bacteria. Same software (Zen) as the Zeiss LSM710 confocal.
  • Analysis: An off-line workstation is available for imaging analysis.

New Users

Faculty and students who wish to use the microscope should follow the instructions in the New Users Guide.
Training takes 30-60 minutes. Users are encouraged to bring their own samples to the training session. If none are available, prepared slides will be used. 

Policy

The microscope is available to trained users on an equal basis. Individual users may reserve one four hour block of time during "peak" daytime hours, and an additional 6 "off-peak" hours (all other times).

For a comprehensive list of policies (including BSL-2 protocols), please see the Facility SOP.

Rates

The rate schedule applies to all users and is current for the 2022/2023 academic year. Fees are used to help cover the cost of the service contract on the microscope, which is partially subsidized by the department, and to help pay for materials such as lens paper, lens cleaning solution and mercury bulbs.

System Specifications

Microscope Stand
Zeiss AxioObserver inverted stand
Illumination
X-Cite lamp
Filter Sets
DAPI: 335-385/395/420-470
GFP: 450-490/495/500-550
DsRed: 538-562/570/570-640
CFP: 426-446/455/460-500
YFP: 490-510/515/520-550
Light detector
Zeiss AxioCam monochrome camera
Objective Lenses
10x, 20x LWD, 40x LWD, 100x 1.4NA oil
Incubation
Stage top environmental chamber for 35mm dishes and chambered coverglass (temperature control, but no humidity or CO2)
X-Y Stage
Manual
Software
Zen

References

Imaging Core protocols:
Useful Links:

Contact Us

Amy Beaven
Facility Director
abeaven@umd.edu
301.405.7238
0107 Microbiology Building
Dr. Charles Delwiche
Faculty Supervisor
delwiche@umd.edu
301.405.8286
2108 Bioscience Research Building