2022 sample preparation "lunch and learn"
12pm - 1pm
The Melbourne Histology Platform, in collaboration with the BioSciences Microscopy Unit and the Materials Characterisation and Fabrication Platform, invites you to participate in the upcoming biological sample preparation lunch and learn sessions.
From 21st-25th November, at noon each day we are offering a series of lunchtime webinars covering different aspects of biological sample preparation for optical, electron and ion microscopy, aimed at researchers new to histology or wanting a refresher. Each webinar includes Q&A time at the end of the session and will be recorded. To attend any or all the sessions (either live or the recordings), please register by 5pm AEDT on Friday 18th November; a Zoom link will be sent to registrants the day before the webinar is held.
Date | Time (AEDT) | Topic |
Mon 21st Nov | 12–1pm | Focus on fixation |
Tues 22nd Nov | 12–1pm | Focus on immunostaining |
Wed 23rd Nov | 12–1pm | Focus on fixation for electron microscopy |
Thurs 24th Nov | 12–1pm | Focus on immunostaining for electron microscopy |
Frid 25th Nov | 12–1pm | Focus on ion microscopy |
Focus on fixation
12–1pm Monday 21st November
Fixation of biological tissue samples is essential to preserving tissue morphology for performing histology and microscopy to visualise characteristics of the tissue. The choice and performance of fixation can make or break an experiment that will rely on histology and microscopy to collect the data. This webinar will explore: the broad approaches to fixation, common chemical fixatives, how to choose an appropriate fixation technique and basic troubleshooting of common issues encountered with tissue fixation.
The content will be focused on fixing samples for optical microscopy only. Presented by Dr Chris Freelance from the Melbourne Histology Platform.
Focus on immunostaining
12–1pm Tuesday 22nd November
Immunostaining is an important and widely used technique for visualising the presence and distribution of molecules/structures of interest in a tissue section. This webinar will explore: the 3 approaches to immunostaining, designing a multi-labelling experiment including selection of antibodies, general immunostaining protocols, and troubleshooting common problems encountered with immunostaining.
This webinar will assume a basic knowledge of the principles of immunostaining. Presented by Dr Chris Freelance from the Melbourne Histology Platform.
Focus on fixation – electron microscopy edition
12–1pm Wednesday 23rd November
Fixation of biological tissue samples is essential to preserving tissue morphology for performing histology and microscopy to visualise characteristics of the tissue. The choice and performance of fixation can make or break an experiment that will rely on microscopy to collect the data. This webinar will explore: the broad approaches to fixation, common chemical fixatives, how to choose an appropriate fixation technique and basic troubleshooting of common issues encountered with tissue fixation.
This webinar will focus on fixation specifically for electron microscopy. Presented by Dr Allison van de Meene from the BioSciences Microscopy Unit.
Focus on immunostaining – electron microscopy edition
12–1pm Thursday 24th November
Immunostaining is an important and widely used technique for visualising the presence and distribution of molecules/structures of interest in a tissue section. This webinar will explore: approaches to immunostaining, designing a multi-labelling experiment including selection of antibodies, general immunostaining protocols, and troubleshooting common problems encountered with immunostaining.
This webinar will focus on immunostaining specifically for electron microscopy and will assume a basic knowledge of the principles of immunostaining. Presented by Dr Allison van de Meene from the BioSciences Microscopy Unit.
Focus on ion microscopy
12–1pm Friday 25th November
The helium ion microscope (HIM) is a scanned ion probe instrument that is similar in many respects to that of the well-established scanning electron microscope (SEM). Fundamentally, however, the two differ in that the HIM utilises a beam of He+ ions generated from a gas field ion source (GFIS). This affords beam characteristics superior to that of an electron source; very low chromatic aberration, orders of magnitude higher brightness, greater depth of field, and an ultimate imaging resolution that is not diffraction limited. Additionally, it can image insulating surfaces without the need for a conductive coating. Unsurprisingly then, the HIM is an important imaging tool in the materials and life sciences, where there is an ever-pressing demand to look closer at surfaces and elucidate the finest nanoscale features. This seminar will introduce and discuss the technique, its strengths (and weaknesses) and how it can be applied in materials engineering and biological sciences.
Presented by Dr Anders Barlow from the Materials Characterisation and Fabrication Platform.