The Confocal and Electron Microscopy Core (CEMC) provides self-service, service by contract, and consultation training.
Self-service access to equipment and image analysis workstation
The CEMC offers training for and access to certain equipment and image analysis workstation. First time users are required to complete one-on-one training and discuss standard operating procedures. Several training sessions are necessary for the use of equipment whose standard operating procedures are complicated, such as the transmission electron microscope, the ultrathin microtome, or the confocal microscopes.
Service by contract
The process for the preparation of biological material for ultrastructural TEM examination is complex. It includes brain perfusion, post-fixation, vibratome sectioning, sample storage, evaluations of multiple antibodies for optimal detection of antigens by EM, pre-embedding immunolabeling, ultrathin sectioning and counter staining, TEM image collection, and image analysis. It is very time consuming for a trainee to develop the necessary skills to obtain high quality material in a short period of time. Therefore, CEMC’s clients have been requesting service by contract, as an alternative to self-service or training. Prior to providing a “service by contract”, the Director and Manager of the CEMC have several meetings with the client(s) to discuss the optimal experimental approaches required for the project. These requirements are written into a “service by contract”.
Consulting and training
The CEMC provides consultation and training to NIDA-IRP investigators in many aspects of (a) processing samples for electron microscopy, (b) the use of the CEMC equipment and computers, as well as quantification and analysis of confocal and EM data.
Emerging technology development
The CEMC is developing emerging technology in correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM), 3-D SEM reconstruction of neurons, pre-embedding immunolabeling SEM, super resolution microscopy, etc.
Expansion Microscopy
Clients provide antibodies. Reagents-in-kind cover all additional consumables.
Partial Service (training and key steps)
- Mouse – $100/brain
- Rat – $200/brain
Full Service (expansion and imaging)
- Mouse – $200/brain
- Rat – $400/brain
Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy (CLEM)
Reagents-in-kind are charged based on projects. Reach out to the core for a project cost estimate.
Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Immuno-TEM
Reagents-in-kind are charged based on projects. Reach out to the core for a project cost estimate.
Training and Consultation
(No reagents-in-kind required for FY26)
Benchwork Training
- Immunohistochemistry
Equipment Training
- Confocal Microscope
- Vibratome and Ultramicrotome
- Electron microscope
Data Analysis Software Training
- Imaris
- Amira
- Huygens Deconvolution
- ImageJ
- Digital Micrograph
- Zenlite
- Image Pro
