Overview - Microscopy Imaging & Cytometry Core

The Microscopy Imaging core is a multi-user facility for sample preparation, imaging, and analysis in biological and materials research. The Cytometry core offers expertise in flow cytometry and nanometer-scale particle characterization.

The Microscopy Imaging core features multiple microscopy-based imaging systems, computers, and software for image analysis. Offering state-of-the-art spatial o mics, quality-assured, morphological services at both light and electron microscopic levels, the Microscopy Imaging core operates on a fee-for-service basis. It also offers professional consultation on equipment use, experimental design, and data interpretation. 

The Cytometry core provides customers with state-of-the-art fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and high-parametric analytical flow cytometry services. The Cytometry core has BD LSRII, MACSQuant VYB analytical cytometers, and a BD FACS Aria III high-speed cell sorter. This core provides professional consultation and assistance with equipment use, experimental design, and interpretation of flow data. Staff assist with manuscript and grant preparation, provide training and educational services. 

This team partners with scientists in higher education and works with private companies using proven methods along with cutting edge solutions to address environmental, water, food, animal, preclinical, and clinical researcher needs.

PLEASE UPDATE!! The Microscopy Imaging Center at UVM, under the auspices of the Microscopy Society of America (MSA), began participating in the nation-wide outreach program - Project MICRO in 1999. With a kit (microscopes and supplies) provided by MSA, we visit local middle schools and set-up Microscopic Festivals during which students rotate through 10 learning activities, investigating sand, fabrics, fingerprints, pond life, bugs, crystals and other small specimens for a total of 2 hours. The program is totally staffed by volunteers (MIC staff, graduate students, office personnel, etc.) and depends heavily upon the involvement of parent volunteers during the Festivals.

Over 6000 students and 750 adults (teachers, parents, etc.) in Vermont have already participated in ProjectMICRO. Some of the students volunteered in the following year to help organizing new Festivals in their own and other schools. Festivals have been held in school classrooms, science labs, libraries, band rooms, UVM teaching lab and local community libraries. Since 1999, 90 Festivals have occurred.