The Light Microscopy Core Facility (LMCF) offers a wide range of confocal and conventional fluorescence microscopes and image analysis resources. As a centrally funded shared resource, the core’s aim is to offer affordable and efficient access to standard and advanced imaging instrumentation for users of all levels of experience and from any discipline across the Duke University and the Duke Medical Center campuses.
The LMCF microscopes are located in four clusters in adjacent buildings to make it convenient for users. All microscopes are open to all users.
Quick Links
- Introduction to Microscopy
- How to choose the right microscope for your sample
- Booking instrument time and New User Form
- Fees and Facility Rules
Equipment
The core facility has twenty-one microscopes of various configurations and modalities, as well as six image analysis workstations and other resources, allowing users to image and analyze a large range of samples at various conditions. Included in the microscopy systems are one multiphoton system with fluorescence lifetime measurement capabilities, nine confocal microscopes, one total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscope, seven widefield fluorescence microscopes, one laser capture microdissection microscope system, and two stereoscopes and dissecting scopes. Of the microscope systems listed, nine of the systems have environmental controls for the incubation of samples during imaging. In addition to the microscope systems, the core facility maintains six workstations for image processing and analysis of collected images by registered core users.