Hands-On Confocal Microscopy Course

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

• Peter O'Toole, Technology Facility, Department of Biology, University of York
• Grant Calder, 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
• Chris Power, Carl Zeiss
• Ruedi Bader, Andor

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 for Tues-Thurs is included in the course fees.  Pre and post course accommodation is also available for an additional cost provided sufficient notice is given.  All accommodation will be at the Hotel Indigo in York city centre.

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.

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. There will be special course dinners on the Tuesday and Thursday evening in the historic city of York. Delegates are free to make their own arrangements on Wednesday evening, either in a dining room or snack bar on campus or in York City Centre. 

The course investment fee is: £1450 Academic Rate (incl 3 nights accommodation at a 4* hotel) | £1850 Industrial Rate (incl 3 nights accommodation at a 4* hotel)

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 fill out the registration form Reg_Form_Confocal_Sept_26 (PDF , 234kb) and send to btf-enquiries@york.ac.uk

The full registration fees are payable in advance and 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.