USAGE CONDITIONS:

In the context of the Vienna Life Science Instruments (VLSI) initiative the Core Facility Cell Imaging and Ultrastructural Research (CIUS) offers access to external users ONLY after prior consultation of the head of the facility (see below). Access to EM instruments will only be possible via a scientific cooperation agreement because of the large amount of assistance necessary.

Usage for VLSI members is generally open to conditions for users of the University of Vienna, but may become restricted by:

- Requirements for teaching and training courses
- Available capacities of instrument usage
- Obligations resulting from existing scientific cooperation agreements.

SERVICES:

• Preliminary evaluation and optimization of your experimental plan:
  - Selection of optimal light- or electron microscope systems
  - Advice on sample preparation for light and electron microscopy, incl. cryopreparation
  - Evaluation of labeling concepts incl. fluorophore selection and immunogold labeling for electron microscopy
  - Suggestion of pilot experiments

•  Training of users
  - Obligatory Safety Introduction for working in our facility
  - Training sessions at selected instrumentation (mandatory for self-contained usage)
  - Optional: “assisted use” sessions at microscopes and instruments for sample preparation
  - Troubleshooting on demand
  - Help in interpretation of images obtained by light- or electron microscopy based on individual arrangements
  - Help in analysis and interpretation of data acquired by Energy Dispersive X-Ray analysis (EDX) and Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS)

Note that we are NOT offering any “give off sample and have it imaged”-service.

INSTRUMENTATION/MICROSCOPE TECHNIQUES AVAILABLE:

Confocal Microscopes: 3
Wide-field Fluorescence / Live Imaging: 4
High-resolution by UV Microscopy: 1
High-resolution by Video-Enhanced Contrast Microscopy: 1
Foto- and Video-Documentation in Macro and Stereo: 4
Scanning Electron Microscopes: 2
Transmission Electron Microscopes: 2
High-Pressure Freezer: 1
Plunge Freezer: 1

Equipment for sample coating, glow discharge, semithin- and ultrathin sectioning, critical point drying and freeze drying.

Please see our detailed description here

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

Whenever you use services of Cell Imaging and Ultrastructural Research (CIUS) you are obliged to acknowledge our service in your publications: “Work (to be specified if necessary) was performed at the Core Facility Cell Imaging and Ultrastructure Research, University of Vienna ‐ member of the Vienna Life‐Science Instruments (VLSI).”

CONTACT: