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We maintain several confocal microscopes, 2 super resolution live cell imaging microscopes, a transmission electron microscope, and sample preparation labs.

The Biology Imaging Facility is located on the Seattle campus (directions). We are a recharge center and expenses are recovered through hourly charges (rates). We are open to any departments or units affiliated with the University of Washington. Users not affiliated with UW are also welcome. Please get in touch if you have any questions. Here is our policy. To apply for training, please fill out our user registration form.

Confocal

• SP5: Leica TCS SP5 II laser scanning confocal microscope, PAA A033 (specification) (user manual)
• A1R: Nikon A1R HD25 laser scanning confocal microscope, LSB B202A (specification) (user manual) (extended log)
• DSU: Olympus DSU spinning disk confocal microscope, PAA A065 (specification) (user manual)
• YX1: Yokogawa CSU-X1 spinning disk confocal microscope, LSB B212 (specification) (user manual) (extended log)

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Super resolution microscopes

• OMX: GE DeltaVision OMX SR super-resolution microscope, LSB B204 (specification) (user manual)
  The OMX is currently down due to a problem with the motorized stage.
• YX1: Yokogawa CSU-X1 spinning disk confocal microscope, LSB B212 (specification) (user manual) (extended log)

Other light microscopes

• Eclipse: Nikon Eclipse E600FN compound microscope, upright PAA A061 (specification)
  
• M8: Wild M8 dissecting microscope, PAA A061 (specification)
  
• Axiozoom: Zeiss Axio Zoom.V16 microscope, PAA A053 (specification) (user manual)

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Transmission electron microscope

• TEM: Philips CM100 transmission electron microscope, PAA A071 (specification) (user manual)

Sample preparation labs

• Denton DCP-1 critical point dryer, PAA A059 (specification) (user manual)
• EMS Quorum 105T ES sample preparation system, PAA A061 (specification) (user manual)
• glass knife maker, PAA A061 (specification) (7801B user manual)
  
• RMC ultramicrotome, PAA A061 and A079A (specification)
  
• lyophilizer, PAA A079 (specification) (VirTis user manual)
  

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Recent announcements

12/30/2025

• Pang will be out the following days with limited internet access. The Facility will operate as usual. Please plan accordingly if you will need training or assistance.
  • January 8, 2025
  • January 14 - 30, 2026

12/23/2025

• The Evident VS200 slide scanner has been installed and we are testing all the functions. We expect to have the scanner available in late January 2026.

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Submit your usage

for January

• Please log your usage for January 2026 on this google form.
• You can check your submissions for January 2026 on this google sheet.

Scheduling

• current schedules: A1R • Axiozoom • DSU • SP5 • OMX • TEM • Prep Lab A059 • Prep Lab A061 • Prep Lab A079 • Tokai Hit • VS2 • YX1 • Zeiss widefield
• How to schedule an appointment

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References

• policy on digital imaging
• general microscopy
• confocal microscopy
  • Leica Science Lab carries short articles on microscopy and histology. A few articles from the Confocal Microscopy section are particularly relevant and they are listed below.
    • optical section thickness
    • pinhole effect in confocal microscopy
    • sensors
  • more on confocal
• TEM

Other resources

• within Biology
• Core facilities on Seattle campus and Pacific NW
  • Digital Microscopy Center
  • Keck Microscopy Facility
  • Molecular Analysis Facility
  • Pathology Research Services Laboratory
  • Shared Research Facilities and Resources directory maintained by the Office of Research
  • Directory of laboratory and clinical research resources available across the five-state WWAMI region maintained by the Institute of Translational Health Sciences

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