Science, Technology and Engineering

Facilities

Department of Biochemistry

Microscope Imaging & Analysis Facility 

A responsible and courteous approach to reserving and operating the confocal system is expected.

Charge Policy

The four applicants on the Wellcome Trust Grant for this facility have taken out an annual subscription of $2000 for unlimited access in the first year. Users in Prof. Leann Tilley's, Dr. Michael Ryan's, Prof. Nicholas Hoogenraad's and Dr Jacqueline Orian's laboratories are welcome. Other academic subscribers who contribute $2000 are able to access a block of 80 hrs throughout the year (i.e. $25/hr).

Non academic users should contact the facility to negotiate a charge structure.

Biochemistry users and users from other departments at La Trobe are charged at $50/hr. Minimum charge of each visit is $100.

Outside users from other research institutes are also charged at $50/hr. Minimum charge of each visit is $100.

Data Storage Policy

All users should have their own named data folder under a sub-folder of the Laboratory to which they belong in drive E. All methods files will be saved automatically in a corresponding folder in drive D.

To avoid the rapid build up of big image files, users are requested to adopt good house keeping habits and clear image files regularly.

Safety Precautions for Operation

Argon Laser

This confocal microscope is powered with a number of different light sources: a tungsten-halogen lamp for the visual bright field, a mercury lamp for the visual fluorescence mode and three laser tubes for confocal imaging. The argon laser has a main excitation line at 488 nm with a full power rating at about 12 mW. The argon laser generates a large amount of heat in operation; an independent cooling fan has to be operated during and after its use until the laser tube has been cooled down. 

Upon finishing, the system has to be put to the resting stage for the next user or to be shutdown if there is no further use on the day.

To shut down the system, the laser tube has to be turned to minimum power before turning off. The exhaust fan has to operate continually for another fifteen minutes. Should the Argon laser be turned on again by a walk-in user, a minimum of one hour is required until switching off.

Mercury lamp

This system is using a 50W/AC mercury lamp. It has a recommended lifetime of about 100 hours. A further 30% of extra working life is acceptable. All users are requested to fill in the logbook when they finish using the system and mark the burner counter on the logbook. If the light beams start to fade or flicker, please put down your observation in the Remarks column and notify the person in charge. The light generated by the mercury lamp is very high intensity and high power. Avoid looking at the light beam directly and be sure the glare protector is always in place. There is a safety precaution note on the pin board. Please be sure you know of the action to be taken if it explodes.

Lab area

Only the long bench on the left is dedicated for wet preparation. Please confine yourselves to working on this bench with slides and samples. All users are requested to use the microscope with great care and keep the room in a clean and tidy condition. Used slides and consumables should be disposed of in the appropriate containers. 

Consumables and autopipettes are not supplied by this laboratory. Bring what you need when you come to use the system. If biohazardous sample has been prepared, please clean any spillage and disinfect the bench with 2% hypochlorite solution.

Please check the Booking Schedule, fill in the Booking Form, save it as a separate file and e-mail to Tim Brown for confirmation of your booking.

Required Reading Prior to Booking the Confocal Microscope

Please read through the Policies and check the available time slot (Bookings).