2003 Indiana University Division of Nephrology Microscopy Workshop

September 15-20, 2003

OPTICAL MICROSCOPY IN RENAL RESEARCH

 

As part of the educational component of the recent NIH George M. O’Brien Center award, the Indiana Center for Biological Microscopy presented a 6 day workshop entitled, "Optical Microscopy in Renal Research" on September 15-20, 2003. The workshop provided renal investigators with training and hands-on experience with various modes of optical microscopy.

 

LECTURES provided participants with the background necessary to assemble microscope systems and to design and conduct studies. Topics will included:

 

* Microscopy: Understanding fundamental principles and what’s new

* Fundamentals of fluorescence

* Selecting a fluorescence microscopy system based on your specific needs

* Strategies to ensure optimal image collection

* Digital image analysis

* Imaging living cultured cells

* Ratio microscopy

* The spectrum of vital microscopy A, B

* Introduction to Volume Rendering

* Strategies of fluorescence labeling and sample preparation to maximize interpretation

* Choice of fluorescence probes

* Zebrafish as a model system

* Obtaining and optimizing a system of your own

*Frontiers of light microscopy

 

LABORATORY:Exercises emphasized hands-on experience with multiple instruments for digital image collection and analysis. Participants conducted studies with the following equipment:

 

* Bio-Rad MRC-1024 confocal/multiphoton microscope

* Zeiss 510-NLO-META confocal/multiphoton microscope

* Zeiss 510-UV confocal microscope

* Perkin-Elmer Ultraview High-speed confocal microscope

* Applied Precision Deltavision image deconvolution microscope system

* Pentium-based image processing workstations with Metamorph and Voxx rendering software

 

Laboratory exercises included:

 

* Alignment and adjustment of the light microscope for transillumination and epifluorescence

* Collection of digital images: balancing the tradeoffs according to experimental needs

* Evaluating and optimizing a fluorescence microscope system: measuring efficiency and noise characteristics

* Collection and analysis of 3-dimensional images: digital deconvolution, confocal microscopy and multi-photon microscopy

* Imaging dynamics of living cells and tissues in 2 and 3 dimensions

* Intravital microscopy: multiphoton microscopy of the kidney of a living rat

* Quantitative microscopy: ratiometric ion studies and evaluations of co-localization

 

Participants were encouraged to bring experimental materials to the workshop as center equipment and faculty will be available during evening hours for investigators to conduct pilot studies.

 

2003 COURSE FACULTY & LECTURERS:

 

* Simon Atkinson - Indiana University School of Medicine

* Robert Bacallao - Indiana University School of Medicine

* Dennis Brown - Harvard Medical School

* Kenneth Dunn - Indiana University School of Medicine

* Marshall Montrose - Indiana University School of Medicine

* Carrie Phillips - Indiana University School of Medicine

* Kenneth Spring - NIH, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

* George Tanner - Indiana University School of Medicine

* Sam Wells - Vanderbilt Medical Center

 

COST:

 

* Registration for the Obrien Course was $625.00

* Six nights single occupancy at the University Place Hotel on Campus was $678.00 plus tax (optional)

* Six nights double occupancy was $384.00 plus tax (optional)