Microscopy

About LCA Microscopy

The LCA has several digital microscopes available to users including state-of-the-art laser-scanning and spinning disc confocal microscopes, high-throughput microscopy, and laser microdissection on the Mission Bay campus in the Hellen Diller Cancer Research Center and CVRB. Imaging consultations and analysis assistance is also available. 

Instrument Operation/Training Rates:

Please refer to our iLab page for up to date hourly rates: LCA 

For inquiries or operator and technical assistance, please contact Anna Celli at [email protected].  

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BC43 Spinning Disc Confocal

Benchtop multimodal microscope for widefield, brightfield, differential phase contrast, high-speed confocal, and optional super resolution. This microscope features four confocal and epifluorescence channels, environment control for live-cell time lapse imaging and high sensitivity for semi thick tissue imaging.

Instrument features:

• Configuration: Inverted
• Excitation: four laser lines (405nm, 488nm, 561nm, 638nm)
• Confocal module: Andor
• Emission: Blue channel: BP 435-455nm; Green channel: BP 517-541nm; Red channel: BP 580-610nm; Far Red channel: BP 671-745nmDetection: 4.1 MP (6.5 μm pixel, 16-bit) monochrome camera with up to 82% QE. 18.5 mm diagonal field of view.
• Objectives:
  • 2X for sample navigation
  • 10X Plan Apo LD Air Object 0.45NA 4.0WD
  • 20x S Plan Fluor Objective 0.7NA 2.3 WD
  • 40x Plan Fluor Oil Objective 1.3NA 0.24mm WD
  • 60X Plan Apo LD Oil Object 1.42NA 0.15WD
• Operating system: Fusion

Sample table:

Live samples	Semi thick samples	Thick tissue	Fixed slides	Culture plates
yes	yes	no	yes	yes

Application table:

Z-stack	Multichannel	Tiling and multiposition	Epifluorescence	Color camera (IHC)	Highthroughput /high content	Timelapse	Environment control
yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no	yes	yes

Location: HD356 (inner room), Helen Diller Building, Mission Bay Campus 

SOPs and required trainings: 

• Training is required prior to first use 
• Reservation through iLab is mandatory. Click here: iLab Organizer 

Contact: For operator and technical assistance on this microscope, please contact Anna Celli, PhD at [email protected].  

Rates: Please refer to our iLab page for up to date hourly rates: LCA 

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Zeiss Cell Observer Spinning Disc Confocal

This spinning disk confocal microscope features full environmental control for long time-lapse multichannel live cell and tissue imaging, software controlled motorized stage and objective turret for large area tiling and multi position/well acquisition and z-stacking. 

Instrument features: 

• Configuration: Inverted 
• Excitation: three laser lines (405nm, 488nm, 561nm), and an X-Cite 120Q mercury lamp 
• Confocal module: Yocagawa CSU X1 
• Emission: confocal arm - DAPI, GFP, mCherry; Epifluorescence arm- DAPI, GFP, mCherry, Cy5. Click here for system spectral configuration (Add link to FB database). 
• Detection: Confocal arm- Evolve EMCCD; epifluorescence arm- AxioCam 506M 
• Objectives: 2.5X Plan-Neo, 10X A Plan, 20X Plan-Apo, 40X LD Plan-Neo, 63X 
• Operating system: ZEN blue 2012 (Carl Zeiss) 

Sample table:

Live samples	Semi thick samples	Thick tissue	Fixed slides	Culture plates
yes	yes	no	yes	yes

Application table:

Z-stack	Multichannel	Tiling and multiposition	Epifluorescence	Color camera (IHC)	Highthroughput /high content	Timelapse	Environment control
yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no	yes	yes

Location: HD356 (inner room), Helen Diller Building, Mission Bay Campus 

SOPs and required trainings: 

• Training is required prior to first use 
• Reservation through iLab is mandatory. Click here: iLab Organizer 

Contact: For operator and technical assistance on this microscope, please contact Anna Celli, PhD at [email protected].  

Rates: Please refer to our iLab page for up to date hourly rates: LCA 

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Zeiss Confocal LSM 780

The Zeiss Confocal Laser-Scanning Microscope 780 is a scanning confocal and 2-photon microscope specifically suited for in vivo imaging of live animals and deep tissue imaging of live and fixed samples. Live cell imaging is available using a high NA 20X dipping lens. Detectors include two sensitive external GaAsP detectors for 2-photon imaging and Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLIM), and three fully spectral internal detectors, including a 34 channel GaAsP array for detection of multicolor-labeled samples. 

Location: CVRB Room 559, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Mission Bay Campus 

SOPs and required trainings: 

• Training is required prior to first use 
• Reservation through iLab is mandatory. Click here: iLab

Contact: For operator and technical assistance on this microscope, please contact Anna Celli at [email protected]

Rates: Please refer to iLab for up to date rates LCA 

Instrument features: 

• Objectives: 5X, 10X LD, 20X dipping 2mm WD, 25X immersion, 63X water 
• Light path: Upright 
• Live Imaging Capabilities: Yes (no environmental control for cell cultures) 
• Excitation (Lasers or filters): Laser lines: 405nm, 458nm, 488nm, 514nm, 633nm 
• LED lamp for sample visualization: DAPI, GFP, TxRed 
• Multi-photon Excitation: Mode-locked IR laser (690-1040nm) Chameleon Ultra II 
• LED lamp for sample visualization (DAPI, GFP, TxRed) 
• Confocal Type: Point-scanning 
• Software Platform: ZEN 

Sample table:

Live samples	Semi thick samples	Thick tissue	Fixed slides	Culture plates
yes	yes	yes	yes	No, only 35mm-60mm dishes

Application table:

Z-stack	Multichannel	Tiling and multiposition	Epifluorescence	Color camera (IHC)	Highthroughput /high content	Timelapse	Environment control
yes	yes	yes	Only for sample localization	no	no	yes	Only temperature

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Agilent Cytation 5 

The Agilent Cytation 5 is a versatile, automated imaging and multi-mode plate reader designed for high-content cellular analysis. Combining fluorescence and brightfield microscopy with multi-mode detection, it enables researchers to capture detailed cellular images and perform quantitative assays in the same instrument. With interchangeable objectives, automated focusing, and temperature control, it supports live-cell imaging and short-term studies. Its broad wavelength range accommodates diverse fluorophores, while integrated software streamlines acquisition, analysis, and data management. 

Location: HD330-LCA bench space, Helen Diller Building, Mission Bay Campus 

SOPs and required trainings: 

• Training is required prior to first use 
• Reservation through iLab is mandatory. Click here: iLab

Contact: For operator and technical assistance on this microscope, please contact Anna Celli at [email protected]

Rates: Please refer to iLab for up to date rates LCA 

Instrument features: 

• Objectives: 1.25X, 4X, 10X LD, 20X , 40X, 60X (all dry) 
• Light path: Inverted 
• Channels: Several interchangeable cubes are available. Standard configuration: DAPI, EGFP, mCherry, autofocus. Additional cubes: Cy3, Cy5, Cy7 
• Live Imaging Capabilities: Yes (no environmental control for cell cultures) 
• Software Platform: Agilent Gen5 

Sample table: 

Live samples	Semi thick samples	Thick tissue	Fixed slides	Culture plates
yes	no	no	yes	yes

Application table:

Z-stack	Multichannel	Tiling and multiposition	Epifluorescence	Color camera (IHC)	Highthroughput /high content	Timelapse	Environment control
yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	Only temperature

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Zeiss Observer

The Zeiss Observer is a basic tissue culture microscope for general-use. It is for use in all areas of light microscopy, including transmitted and incident light microscopy, fluorescent microscopy, darkfield, phase, and polarization contrast.

Location: HD356, Helen Diller Building, Mission Bay Campus

Contact: For operator and technical assistance on this microscope, please contact Anna Celli at [email protected]

Rates: Please refer to iLab for up to date rates LCA 

Instrument features: 

• Objectives: 10X Plan Neo, 20X LD A-Plan, 25X Plan-Neo, 40X LD A-Plan 
• Light path: Inverted 
• Excitation: X-Cite mini Lamp 
• Channels: Dapi, GFP, RFP 
• Software Platform: ZEN 

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Zeiss AxioImager 2

The Zeiss AxioImager 2 with AxioVision Software is a general-use, epiflurescent microscope for use in all areas of light microscopy, including transmitted and incident light microscopy, fluorescent microscopy, darkfield, phase, and polarization contrast. 

Location: S171, Cancer Research Building, Mt Zion 

SOPs and required trainings: 

• Reservation through iLab is mandatory. Click here: iLab

Contact: For operator and technical assistance on this microscope, please contact Anna Celli at [email protected]

Rates: Please refer to iLab for up to date rates LCA 

Instrument features: 

• Objectives: 2.5X Plan-Neo, 10X Plan-Neo, 20X Plan-Apo, 40X Plan-Apo oil, 63X Plan-Apo oil 
• Light path: Upright 
• Excitation (lasers or filters): Lamp Dapi, GFP, Rhodamine, mCherry, Cy5 
• Software Platform: AxioVision 

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Zeiss AxioImager M1

The Zeiss AxioImager M1 with AxioVision Software is a general-use, epiflurescent microscope for use in all areas of light microscopy, including transmitted and incident light microscopy, fluorescent microscopy, darkfield, phase, and polarization contrast. 

Location: HD355, Helen Diller Building, Mission Bay Campus 

Contact: For operator and technical assistance on this microscope, please contact Anna Celli at [email protected]

Rates: Please refer to iLab for up to date rates LCA 

Instrument features: 

• Objectives: 1.25X Plan-Neo, 5X Plan-Neo, 10X Plan-Neo, 20X Plan-Apo, 40X Plan-Neo, 63X Plan-Apo oil 
• Light path: Upright 
• Excitation (lasers or filters): Lamp Dapi, GFP, DsRded, mPlum, Cy5 
• Software Platform: ZEN 

Sample table:

Live samples	Semi thick samples	Thick tissue	Fixed slides	Culture plates
no	no	no	yes	no

Application table:

Z-stack	Multichannel	Tiling and multiposition	Epifluorescence	Color camera (IHC)	Highthroughput /high content	Timelapse	Environment control
no	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no

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Keyence BZ-x800

The Keyence BZ-X800 is a fully motorized, inverted all-in-one 4-channels fluorescence microscope combining fluorescence, brightfield, and phase-contrast imaging. It supports slides, dishes, well-plates, and flasks, with a motorized stage, lenses, and filter switching for seamless operation. Features include auto-focus, image stitching, time-lapse, large-area scanning. 

Location: HD256, Helen Diller Building, Mission Bay Campus 

SOPs and required trainings: 

• Training is required prior to first use 
• Reservation through iLab is mandatory. Click here: iLab

Contact: For operator and technical assistance on this microscope, please contact Anna Celli at [email protected]

Rates: Please refer to iLab for up to date rates LCA 

Instrument features: 

• Objectives: 4X, 10X LD, 20X, 40X 
• Light path: Inverted 
• Channels: DAPI, EGFP, mCherry, Cy5 
• Live Imaging Capabilities: Yes (no environmental control for cell cultures) 
• Software Platform: Keyance 

Sample table:

Live samples	Semi thick samples	Thick tissue	Fixed slides	Culture plates
yes	no	no	yes	yes

Application table:

Z-stack	Multichannel	Tiling and multiposition	Epifluorescence	Color camera (IHC)	Highthroughput /high content	Timelapse	Environment control
yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no

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Nikon Eclipse

The Nikon Eclipse is a basic upright dual viewing teaching microscope. 

Location: HD355, Helen Diller Building, Mission Bay Campus

Contact: For operator and technical assistance on this microscope, please contact Anna Celli at [email protected]

Rates: Please refer to iLab for up to date rates LCA 

Instrument features: 

• Objectives: 4X plan, 10X Plan, 20X Plan, 40X Plan 
• Light path: Upright 
• Excitation (lasers or filters): Bright field. 

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Zeiss PALM Laser Microdissection 

The Zeiss PALM Laser Microdissection system offers contact free manipulation and laser driven high precision tissue microdissection and capture. This is a tool for isolation of single cells or cell groups for downstream genomics, transcriptomics, and/or proteomics analysis and applications. 

Location: CVRB room 559, Cardiovascular Research Building, Mission Bay Campus 

SOPs and required trainings: 

• Training is required prior to first use 
• Reservation through iLab is mandatory. Click here: iLab

Contact: For operator and technical assistance on this microscope, please contact Anna Celli at [email protected]

Rates: Please refer to iLab for up to date rates LCA 

Instrument features: 

• Objectives: 5X Fluar, 10X Fluar, 20X LD Plan-Neo, 40X LD Plan-Neo, 63X Plan-Neo 
• Light path: Inverted 
• Excitation (lasers or filters): Lamp Dapi, GFP, Rhoda mine, Cy5 
• Other features: Touch-cap collection 
• Software Platform: Palm Robot 

Sample table:

Live samples	Semi thick samples	Thick tissue	Fixed slides	Culture plates
no	no	no	yes	no

Application: Laser-activated microdissection and capture of user-defined regions on fixed and frozen sections, or fixed cells for down stream proteomics, genomic, or transcriptomic analysis. 

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