Microscopy Facility

The SFU/MBB Microscopy Facility provides access to a comprehensive suite of advanced confocal microscopy platforms enabling high-resolution imaging for a wide range of biological applications, from whole tissues to single molecules. Our instrumentation includes state-of-the-art laser scanning and spinning disk confocal microscopes, as well as an Airyscan super-resolution microscope capable of achieving resolution beyond the diffraction limit while maintaining high sensitivity for fast live-cell imaging.

Specialized imaging modalities include FRET, FRAP, photoactivation, and spectral unmixing. Zeiss Joint Deconvolution enhances Airyscan images up to 90 nm lateral resolution. Automated acquisition, high-throughput imaging, and integrated analysis software support complex workflows such as multi-dimensional, time-lapse, and large-area imaging.

Zeiss AiryScan

  • Zeiss Axio Observer inverted microscope
  • LSM 880 conventional laser scanning confocal with GaAsP detectors and a spectral detector
  • Airyscan superresolution detector with fast scan option
  • 405, 457, 488, 514, 561, 595, and 638 nm lasers
  • Dry 10x and dry 20x lenses as well as 40x water, 63x oil, 100x oil and 100x TIRF oil lenses
  • Environmental control chamber for live cell imaging
  • FRAP, FRET, photoactivation and spectral unmixing capabilities
  • Image analysis and deconvolution

Training and Standard Operating Procedures for Zeiss Airyscan 

Technical Support

Contact

TIM HESLIP
Microscopy Technician

Email: trh2@sfu.ca
Office: 
B 7145
Tel: (778) 782-6807

Availability Schedule
Tue-Thu
 9:00AM-4:30PM

Users are charged for time booked unless they cancel 6 hours in advance or find an alternate user.

Location

SSB 7145

Quick Links

Fee Schedule

Instrument Type
SFU Users
Regular Hours
(9am - 5pm)
SFU Users
After Hours
Other BC Universities
and Colleges
Non-SFU Users
WaveFX/Nikon $10/hr $5/hr $15/hr $20/hr
Airscan $25/hr $12.50/hr $30/hr $50/hr
Leica EM ICE (HP Freezer)                                $50/day* - $150/day* $150/day*
Leica EM ICE AFS2  $50/day* - $50/day* $50/day*
Training $50/hr - $50/hr $100/hr

*Liquid Nitrogen costs $80 per 100L (N2 required to run both instruments) in addition to the user charge.

Resources

Useful Microscopy Resources

Microscopy Oversight Committee

Name             

Email     

Tel           

Christopher Beh                                              ctbeh@sfu.ca                         (778) 782-6801
Valentin Jaumouillé vjaumoui@sfu.ca   (778) 782-5682          
Michel Leroux leroux@sfu.ca (778) 782-6683                             
Tim Audas taudas@sfu.ca (778) 782-6811

Policies

Lens Cleaning Policy

It is the responsibility of every user to inspect the objective lenses and the rest of the microscope and anti-vibration table for oil or other waste. Any problem needs to be noted on the log and the Microscopy Technician notified immediately. Failure to report problems could result in the most recent user on the log to be held responsible. It is the responsibility of every user to check and see if they are the last user of the day. This must be done using the Nikon Confocal calendar on the MBB Facilities web site. Failure to power down the Nikon Confocal overnight will result in disciplinary action.

Actions for not properly cleaning lenses and failure to power down

1st offence: Verbal discussion

2nd offence: Email user and their supervisor plus the Microscopy Oversight Committee and the Chair of MBB

3rd offence: User’s supervisor is charged $100 and the user is notified that they can potentially be banned from use.

4th offence: The user is banned from using the confocal until further notice. 

Data Storage Policy

The confocal acquisition computers are not to be used for data storage. Backup your images at the end of each session and then delete from the acquisition computer hard drive at the soonest possible opportunity. Images not deleted from the acquisition computers can be deleted without notice at any time if needed to create free hard drive space. 

Funding

This facility has been generously funded by the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, NSERC, British Columbia Knowledge Development Fund, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Office of the Vice President Research and Simon Fraser University.