Facilities Database - Scottish Microscopy Society

Welcome to the Scottish Microscopy Society FACILITIES Database, where you can find the right open-access facility for your research needs.

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Aberdeen Centre for Electron Microscopy, Analysis and CharacterisationACEMAC runs a GeminiSEM 300 high resolution Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope. SE, BSE and cathodoluminescence detectors can be operated in both high vacuum and variable pressure modes, enabling imaging of sample types from steel to rocks to biological cells (down to 0.8 nm). EDS, crystal structures and orientation/strain analysis (EBSD) are also performed.
Aberdeen Microscopy and Histology Core FacilityThe Microscopy and Histology facility has many years’ experience in Histology (wax, cryostat and resin) and Light, Fluorescence, Confocal along with MicroCT and also Electron Microscopy. Light microscopes include upright and inverted confocal, spinning disk confocal, widefield, phase holographic and slide scanner system with timelapse, multiposition, Class II live pathogen capabilities. Electron microscopes include SEM and TEM with tomographic capabilities, plus high pressure freezer and freeze substitution and microwave processor.
Advanced Imaging ResourceAIR supports imaging ranging from model organisms through to sub cellular structures utilising cutting edge imaging tools and technologies, and works together with ESRIC to provide access to super-resolution optical imaging platforms. Microscopes include confocal, spinning disk confocal, multiphoton, SIM, STORM, OPT, widefield and high content imaging systems, with dedicated image analysis specialist support available. 
Advanced Materials Research LaboratoryThe AMRL consists of two testing laboratories: materials characterisation/analysis and mechanical testing. The centre can conduct research and testing from all sectors of engineering and can offer nano-scale characterisation through to full-scale component testing.  Microscopes include SEMs with EDS and WDS analysis and EBSD capabilities, and light microscopes with Dark-field, polarized light and DIC.
Beatson Advanced Imaging ResourceBAIR have a wide range of specialised microscopes that provide users with the flexibility to approach their research using a diverse range of applications. Microscopes include a variety of confocal and widefield systems, super-resolution systems, high-content screening, in vivo imaging systems, and equipment for advanced techniques such as TIRF, FLIM/FRET and Multiphoton imaging. 
Bioimaging & Flow Cytometry FacilityThe Bioimaging and Flow Cytometry Facility incorporates all of the Institute’s high-end microscopy, cell sorting and flow cytometry equipment. Microscopes include upright and inverted multiphoton, confocal and widefield with SHG, phase contrast, DIC, timelapse, multiposition and Class II live pathogen imaging capabilities available.
Centre of BiophotonicsSome of CoB’s light microscopes are commercial
instruments but a significant number of them are innovative techniques developed by groups within the Centre, and therefore, are custom-built setups. Nano- and micro-fabrication techniques within a cleanroom environment and ultrafast techniques including
femtosecond spectroscopy, fluorescence up-conversion
and transient-absorption spectroscopy are available
along with image processing workstations.
CESEMCESEM has two scanning electron microscopes: an XL30 ESEM with LaB6 filament, and a Quanta 650 FEG SEM. Both are equipped with a range of detectors and stages, including EDX, backscattered, charge contrast, wettabiliity and cathodoluminescence imaging capabilities, and are ideally suited for a wide range of investigations. Low vacuum and ESEM modes are available.  
COILCOIL provides modern and well maintained equipment for users, particularly in the area of cell biology. Microscopes include inverted and upright confocal, spinning disk confocal and widefield systems with high speed imaging, multiposition, live cell imaging and cleared sample imaging capabilities.  
Confocal and Advanced Light Microscopy (CALM) FacilityCALM, based in the QMRI at Edinburgh’s Little France campus, offers access to confocal, spinning disk confocal, light-sheet and widefield microscopes with HO-licensed >5dpf zebrafish imaging, laser manipulation, timelapse and multiposition capabilities.
CRM Imaging FacilityThe facility offers a wide range of microscopes and imaging techniques:  stereo, widefield, confocal, and light-sheet microscopes. Techniques include phase-contrast and clearing (X-Clarity), with cleared sample imaging, timelapse and multiposition capabilities. The facility offers two dedicated high-end workstations for bio-image processing and analysis. 
Cryo EM FacilityThe CryoEM facility provides tailored support for scientific questions requiring high-resolution imaging. Techniques available include TEM, Cryo-TEM and electron diffraction. Liquid nitrogen cryo-transfer holder, automated vitrification unit and Various supporting equipment, such as a glow-discharge unit, negative stain facilities and a room-temperature holder also available.
Cryo FIB-SEMThis FIB-SEM with cryogenic attachment is one of only a few in the UK. The microscope offers resolution down to ~1nm, elemental contrast and identification, fast and accurate milling and patterning using the FIB, nanoscale tomography, TEM sample preparation and the ability to work on liquids, gels, polymers, biological matter and other materials using the optional cryo-mode. 
Department of Biomedical EngineeringDepartment of Biomedical Engineering The Department of Biomedical Engineering has a new BBSRC funded STED FLIM/FCS facility called SPRINT. We will install a PicoQuant MicroTime 200STED: https://www.picoquant.com/products/category/fluorescence-microscopes/microtime-200-sted-time-resolved-confocal-fluorescence-microscope-with-super-resolution-capability The system will have a state-of-the-art 5ps TCSPC system, and have 470nm excitation for confocal FLIM and 595nm and 640nm excitation for STED. Explore some of the systems […]
Dundee Imaging FacilityThe Facility provides world-leading core microscopy resources, housing >20 advanced light microscopy systems, including LSCM, WF-decon, SDCM, TIRF,MPLSM, FLIM and 3DSIM technologies. New acquisitions include a diSPIM and AiryScan systems. The Facility also houses electron microscopy and atomic probe microscopy, which are used for research applications in the life and physical sciences.
Edinburgh Electron Microscopy LabThe EM facility provides both scanning and transmission EM and sample preparation. Steve Mitchell provides specimen preparation and training/advice in TEM and SEM techniques and use.  He handles a diverse set of samples ranging from soft tissues such as nerve and fish gills to hard tissues such as toe nails, horse hoof and teeth. 
ESRICESRIC runs a number of super-resolution systems and has expertise in samples preparation and image analysis techniques. Techniques include confocal, STED, 3D STED, TCSPC-FLIM, FCS, PALM, STORM, TIRF and AFM, with timelapse capabilities and dedicated image analysis workstations available. 
GCU BioimagingGCU Bioimaging offers confocal and live cell imaging platforms, with LSM800 airyscan and Crest X-light spinning disk-TIRF confocal systems. Dedicated calcium imaging and microinjection rigs are available, as are phase contrast and histological analysis using an Axiovert and EVOS system.  
Geoanalytical Electron Microscopy & Spectroscopy centre (GEMS)The Geoanalytical Electron Microscopy & Spectroscopy Centre (GEMS) supports a range scanning electron microscopy techniques, from SE, BSE and CL imaging, EDS and EBSD analysis, as well as Raman Spectroscopy. 
Glasgow Imaging FacilityGIF has imaging technologies that cover whole body imaging, conventional wide-field, confocal and multi-photon microscopy, to high-resolution approaches breaking the resolution limit of light. Techniques available are Spinning Disk Confocal, Multiphoton, High Content InCell, Super-Resolution (3D-SIM and STORM), wide-field deconvolution (DV-Core and Leica DMi8), In Vivo systems (IVIS), TEM and the imaging flow cytometer ImageStream. 
High Content Screening FacilityThe High Content Screening Facility, run from Edinburgh’s Little France campus, includes an Operetta widefield system with high throughput robotic loading, timelapse and temperature control capabilities. 
IMPACTIMPACT provides high quality imaging equipment and image analysis support to life scientists. Microscopes include multiphoton, light-sheet, confocal, airyscan and widefield systems, FLIM and TIRF modules. A dedicated computer suite includes access to Huygens, Imaris, Volocity and Matlab.
Kelvin Nanocharacterisation CentreKNC’s instruments provide powerful techniques for investigating materials from the sub-millimetre right down to the atomic scale. These instruments are world-leading in many of their capabilities and our staff have developed many unique imaging modalities. Microscopes include TEMs, FIB-SEM, SEMs, AFMs, a Xenon plasma focused ion beam microscope and a neocera pulsed laser deposition system. 
MesolabThe Mesolens allows high resolution widefield, confocal
and darkfield image acquisition from large samples
(6mm field of view, 3mm working distance) using a
custom-designed objective with low magnification (4x)
and high NA (0.5). It can acquire subcellular 3D images of large tissue volumes and wide field of view images of thin samples at high resolution.
SAS Confocal FacilitySAS, based at Napier University, runs an LSM880 confocal system with timelapse imaging and temperature control capabilities.
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