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Training opportunities for SWEHSC Investigators & their lab staff
The Cellular Imaging Facility Core provides a number of one-on-one training opportunities for staff, students and post-docs. These can be formal training opportunities related to a specific instrument/technique, or informal explanations tailored to a specific research question.
Mr. Cromey has specific expertise in light, confocal, and electron microscopy, as well as image analysis and time-lapse imaging of live cells. He can provide the following types of instrument-specific training:
- Laboratory light microscopes - There are a number of very nice light microscopes in investigator's labs that are poorly used, dirty, and mis-aligned. Mr. Cromey can teach your lab staff how to care for, and align, your lab microscope so that it is used properly and will last for a long time. No cost for the laboratories of SWEHSC investigators.
- ARL Confocal microscope (Zeiss LSM 510meta - NLO) - Mr. Cromey is the manager of this facility and provides approximately 9 hours of training to all new users of this instrument. New users learn basic optics, as well as how to operate the instrument so that they can acquire good image data. The cost for training is $44/hr (fee is as of 10/01/09). One way to reduce this cost is to send two users and/or split the cost with another lab that has one student who needs training. There is no cost to SWEHSC investigators for any additional consultation or assistance.
- ARL Transmission electron microscope (AHSC) - Learn the basics of operating a TEM and taking digital images of samples. The hourly cost for using the instrument is $26/hr, however, this is less than having the ARL facility manager do the training at $64/hr (fees are as of 10/01/09). There is no cost to SWEHSC investigators for any additional consultation or assistance.
- CMM Image analysis workstation - Learn how to use this instrument to acquire images for a specific research purpose or for performing an image analysis experiment. At some time in the future there will most likely be a small per hour fee to use this instrument. There is no cost to SWEHSC investigators for any additional consultation or assistance.
- Other instrument training (not specifically provided by the Cellular Imaging Facility Core) - Interested users can contact the other facilities (Deconvolution fluorescence microscopy, Flow Cytometry, Histology) associated with the Facility Core to receive training directly from the staff in those facilities. There are fees associated with the training and/or equipment use, follow the web links to learn more details.
Please note: the University of Arizona's interpretation of OMB Circular A-21 (Cost Principles for Educational Institutions) does not allow shared facilities to charge federal grants different rates for identical services.
- Introduction to Scientific Digital Imaging - A four hour workshop made available to the entire campus twice a year. The workshop is taught by three microscopy facility core managers and a professional photographer. Announcements are made in the Core's newsletter, on the Core's home page and via the SWEHSC email listserver.
- Digital imaging software - Learn how to correctly use Adobe Photoshop to process digital images and set up figures for publications. No cost for the laboratories of SWEHSC investigators.
- Digital imaging ethics - Take advantage of Mr. Cromey's expertise in this area. Allow us to teach you, your students, staff and post-docs how to correctly work with digital images. We also have a web page with a list of guidelines (Digital Imaging: Ethics) and Mr. Cromey was a contributing author for the Online Learning Tool for Research Integrity and Image Processing (a case-study based learning tool, this site was funded by a grant from the US Office of Research Integrity).
Visit our award winning Microscopy & Imaging Resources on the WWW pages, or browse our long list of PDF tutorials, tip sheets and handouts.
These opportunities are not specific to the Cellular Imaging Facility Core, but are available on the UA campus:
- Fundamentals of Light Microscopy & Electronic Imaging - CMM 565A (3 units, taught in the spring semester), This is a lecture/hands-on course that teaches the essential principles and applications of light microscopy and electronic imaging. By the end of the course you will be able to use and adjust a research microscope for various modes of light microscopy. Instructor: Dr. Elliott.
- Human Histology - CMM 410/510 (3 units, taught during summer pre-session), This course will provide pre-health science professions students as well as students planning a career in biomedical research with essential background in functional morphology of human tissues and organs. Instructors: Drs. McMullen, Amerongen & St. John
- Pathology 515 - (spring semester) The course is designed for graduate students training for a career in biomedical research. The goal of the course is to expand and extend the student's knowledge of normal structure and function, into the realm of disease processes. Instructor: Dr. Breihl.
- UA Computer Based Training (CBT) - free (to UA affiliates with a UANetID) on-line training videos for a wide variety of software (including Photoshop, Illustrator, Corel and Paintshop Pro). A broadband connection is required.
- UA Center for Computer & Professional Education - classes & workshops (these are NOT free, but they are reasonably priced and there are discounts for UA employees)
- UA Multimedia Learning Lab - free workshops for UA faculty, staff & students
- UITS (University Information Technology Services) - free workshops for UA faculty, staff & students
