Confocal microscopy course

29 April - 2 May 2014

An intensive, hands-on, four-day training course in the rapidly developing techniques of confocal microscopy. The course will initially cover basic confocal but then swiftly move on to the more advanced techniques such as FRAP, FRET and spectral unmixing. Over the four days, all participants will have used four different confocal set-ups; Zeiss LSM780 and LSM710 on inverted microscopes, a Zeiss LSM510 on an upright microscope, and an Andor Revolution XD spinning disk confocal. To demonstrate each technique, a wide range of both samples (plants to cell culture) and labels (antibody to fluorescent proteins) will be used. Participants are welcome to bring their own samples.

Introduction

The course is taught by academic and research staff of the University of York Technology Facility and specialists from Zeiss and Andor.

The University of York is pleased to present the course in collaboration with Carl Zeiss and Andor.

Based on delegates from the 2010 and 2011 courses, it is anticipated that participants will come from both academia and industry throughout the UK, Europe and the rest of the world.

The Course

This intensive, four-day training course will be of value to anyone wanting to gain hands-on experience of modern confocal techniques. Participants are encouraged to bring their own samples. In addition to the hands-on component, the course will include tutorials on the theory and practice of all the techniques and methods covered, as well as many other relevant topics in the field.

An essential feature of our course is the unique combination of practical, laboratory-based work with both taught and tutorial-style classroom sessions. The Technology Facility labs are extremely well equipped for modern confocal work, including the Zeiss LSM780 NLO, LSM710 and LSM510 meta confocal microscopes, and an Andor Revolution XD spinning disk confocal microscope. Participants will have the opportunity to analyse their own samples during the free format session.

Course Programme

The course schedule will involve a tutorial each morning on the techniques relevant to the day's practicals.

Hands-on laboratory activities will include:

Operation of all available confocal microscopes
Multicolour sequential and simultaneous imaging techniques
Live cell imaging
FRAP - fluorescent recovery after photobleaching
FRET - fluorescent resonance energy transfer
Spectral unmixing

There will be ample opportunities during the evenings for further discussion with the course tutors in more informal surroundings.

A preliminary programme is shown below:

Day	Aims
Day 1: Basics	Familiarisation, x,y,z and multicolour imaging
Day 2: Live-cell imaging	Spinning disk confocal microscopy FRAP on Laser scanning confocal
Day 3: Advanced Techniques	Spectral unmixing FRET with fluorescent proteins
Day 4: Further advances and free session	More samples to explore confocal limit Participants own sample session

Course Tutors

Peter O'Toole, Technology Facility, Department of Biology, University of York
Karen Hogg, Technology Facility, Department of Biology, University of York
Karen Hodgkinson, Technology Facility, Department of Biology, University of York
Jo Marrison, Technology Facility, Department of Biology, University of York
Graeme Park, Technology Facility, Department of Biology, University of York
A representative from Carl Zeiss
A representative from Andor

Venue and Date

Registration will take place from 21 May 2013.

The course will use the resources and instrumentation of the Technology Facility, which is part of the Department of Biology and is housed in a £25M building completed in 2002.

Accommodation

Delegates will be housed in single en-suite rooms on the University of York campus.

Pre- and post-course accommodation on campus is available, provided sufficient notice is given.

Course Fee

The registration fee covers accommodation on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights, all meals (except Wednesday evening), refreshments, tuition, laboratory consumables, a bound copy of all course notes, and a special course dinner on the Thursday evening. Delegates are free to make their own arrangements on Wednesday evening, either in a dining room or snack bar on campus or in the historic city of York.

Please see the registration form Reg_Form_Confocal_Apr14 (MS Word , 26kb) for course fees.

Registration

As the number of places is limited to permit full hands-on practice, early registration is advised. To register for the Confocal Microscopy Hands-on Course, please download the registration form and return the completed form to:

Course Enquiries
Bioscience Technology Facility
Department of Biology (Area 15)
University of York
York YO10 5DD
UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1904 328821
E-mail: btf-enquiries@york.ac.uk

Refund Policy

Following the volcanic eruptions in Iceland in 2010, several delegates had travel plans disrupted and were unable to attend a course. This has prompted us to remind delegates that the full registration fees are payable in advance and that there is a 10% administrative charge for cancellations received in writing up to 20 working days before the start of the course. No refunds will be made for cancellations received within 20 working days of the course start date or for the inability to attend the course for whatever reasons. The University is not liable for non-attendance due to travel disruptions,health problems or any other reason that might lead to a delegate not being able to attend the course. You are strongly advised to ensure you have appropriate insurance. Substitutions may, of course, be made at any time, providing you inform us in writing.

More Information

For any questions concerning the course itself, please contact:

Dr Peter O'Toole
Department of Biology (Area 15)
University of York
York YO10 5DD
UK
Tel: +44 (0)1904 328722
Fax: +44 (0)1904 328804
E-mail: pot1@york.ac.uk

York and the University

The University of York enjoys a splendid campus location just two miles from the centre of York itself. There are excellent rail links from London, and Manchester and Newcastle Airports, and the campus is easily reached by road via the A1 and A64.

This historic walled city with its medieval guild halls and hostelries offers many attractions for the visitor, including the Jorvik Viking Centre, the National Railway Museum, York Minster, York Castle Museum, Clifford's Tower and the Merchant Adventurers' Hall. York is set in the centre of the Vale of York with the Yorkshire Dales, Moors and Wolds, and stately homes and other attractions are all within easy reach.

Department of Biology