Microscopy Lab

Welcome the Cox Microscopy Laboratory.  The Microscopy Laboratory has wide-field microscopy capabilities.  Specimens can be imaged by either transmitted light or epi-fluorescence.  The core also has software for post-acquisition processing and analysis, as well as 3-D reconstruction of z-stack images. Core personnel are available to assist you in instrument setup and analysis. Training is also available for investigators wishing to work independently.

Instrumentation

Nikon TE2000-U

This is an inverted light microscope that provides high quality images captured by 4, 10, 20, 40 and 60X objective lenses, which are integrated with 1.5X magnification changeover.  An Epi-fluorescence attachment enables collection of blue, green, orange and red fluorescent images (fitted to DAPI, FITC, PE and APC stains). Images can be captured with digital black & white or color cameras.

 

Documents and Forms

Usage policies

To begin usage please fill out the New Core Lab Access Form and the appropriate billing form available on the Documents link.  External billing applies to non-member of the UT Health Science Center.  The majority of users will fill out the Internal billing form.  If you have any questions regarding which billing form you should fill out do not hesitate to contact us (713) 500-6191.

Our staff time and availability can be limited.  To set up the instrument properly you will need to bring in the appropriate controls in addition to your experimental samples.  These usually include an unstained control, single-stain controls, and combination controls.  Please contact us if you are not sure you have the proper controls.  If you are a first time user we will cover this when we discus your experimental design. WITHOUT THE PROPER CONTROLS YOUR DATA WILL NOT BE CORRECT!

Our staff does not analyze your samples for you.  This includes transferring data to PowerPoint.  If you would like assistance in data analysis or help on transferring data staff is available to assist you in doing this.  Please call to set up arrangement with a staff member.
Instrument usage is charge based on reserved time and rounded to the nearest hour.  A log of your usage is kept on a log book to keep accurate records of usage.  Cancellations must be done 24 hours prior to your appointment.  No-show appointments will still be charged the reserved time that was set up.  Please see our Charges policy for further information.

Scheduling and reserving time for the equipment can be done on the website.  Analysis requires at least 48 hours notice and is pending until approved.  If you have never used the facility before, please call or email the laboratory manager to discuss experimental design and to obtain access to the facilities services.

All files on the flow cytometer are deleted at the end of each month.  Only the templates under your file will be saved.  It is not the Core’s responsibility if your data is lost.  All users should bring a CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R or thumb drive at the time of their appointment to save their files.

 

Scheduling and Pricing

Instrument usage is charge based on reserved time and rounded to the nearest hour.  A log of your usage is kept on a log book to keep accurate records of usage.  Cancellations must be done 24 hours prior to your appointment.  No-show appointments will still be charged the reserved time that was set up.  Please see our Charges policy for further information.

Analysis requires at least 48 hours notice and is pending until approved.  If you have never used the facility before, please call or email the laboratory manager to discuss experimental design and to obtain access to the facilities services.

Pricing

Assisted – $30/hr
Unassisted – $15/hr