Advanced Microscopy and Small Animal Imaging. Through a combination of lecture and laboratory learning, students will leave this class understanding the scientific principles underlying the techniques as well as hands-on training for advanced imaging and small animal imaging methods. It is recommended that students take MCBA 740 prior to this course. 

Topics Covered:

• Advanced Fluorescent Microscopy
• TIssue Clearing
• Zeiss Lightsheet 7
• Leica Stellaris 8 FALCON Confocal with TauSTED
• microCT
• IVIS Bioluminescence
• VEVO3100 Ultrasound

Histology to confocal microscopy. Through the combination of lecture and laboratory learning, students will leave this class understanding the scientific principles underlying the techniques as well as hands-on training for sample preparation, histology, confocal microscopy, and image analysis.

Topics Covered:

• Specimen Processing
• Parafin and Cryo Sectioning
• Immunohistochemistry Staining
• Immunofluorence Labeling
• Light Microscopy (Nikon E600)
• Widefield Microscopy (Invitrogen EVOS FL Auto and Discover Echo Revolution)
• Confocal Microscopy (Leica Stellaris 5)
• Basic Image Analysis
• Imaging Ethics

Molecular methods. Students will be introduced to and trained in molecular techniques that could be utilized in a proteomics or genomics laboratory, including cell culture, RNA isolation and quantification, cDNA synthesis, PCR (quantitative, real-time, and endpoint), in situ hybridization, and molecular cloning.

Topics Covered:

• Basic Pipetting
• pH Meter
• RNA Isolation and quantification
• Nanodrop One
• cDNA Synthesis
• Gel Electrophoresis
• BioRad GelDoc XR+ and iMark Microplate Absorbance Reader
• Invitrogen iBright CL1500 Imaging System
• End-point, Quantitative, Real-Time, and Digital PCR
• ThermoFisher QuantStudio 3 rtPCR
• ThermoFisher SimpliAmp Thermal Cycler
• ThermoFisher QuantStudio Absolute Q dPCR
• Primer Efficiency
• In Situ Hybridization
• Basic Molecular Cloning

Electron microscopy. Through the combination of lecture and laboratory learning, students will leave this class understanding the scientific principles underlying the techniques as well as hands-on training for transmission electron and scanning electron microscopy sample preparation and imaging.

Topics Covered:

• TEM Specimen Preparation
• Preparation of Glass Knives
• Ultramicrotomy (Leica UC Enuity Ultramicrotome)
• JEOL 1400+ Transmission Electron Microscope
• SEM Specimen Preparation
• Cressington 108 Sputter Coater
• Tousimis Samdri-PVT-3B Critical Point Dryer
• JEOL JSM IT100 Scanning Electron Micrscope

Advanced molecular methods. Students will be introduced to and trained in advanced molecular techniques that could be utilized in a proteomics or genomics laboratory, including SDS PAGE, Western blot, ELISA, and Flow Cytometry.

Topics Covered:

• Protein extraction, quantification, and electrophoresis
• Denaturing SDS PAGE
• Western Blot
• LiCor Oddesey CLX System
• ELISA
• PCR Gentoyping
• Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting (BS FACS Discover S8 and BD FACS Symphony A5)

This FREE intensive 4-day (4 hours daily) workshop offers an introduction and hands-on
experience with cutting-edge microscopy techniques, including:

• Basic microscopy techniques and the core facility environment
• Live-cell imaging for dynamic biological processes
• Confocal microscopy for high-resolution, three-dimensional imaging
• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for detailed surface structure

The Undergraduate Microscopy Workshop is open to students who

• Are rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors at any USC campus in a science-related major
• Have successfully completed at least 2 lab-based science courses
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.0
• Note: Prior research experience recommended but not required

Location: Instrumentation Resource Facility at the USC School of Medicine Columbia

Application:

1. Student applicants must complete the required application (Link Below).
2. A recommendation from a USC faculty member is required (this may be a professor from a class you have taken or a faculty research mentor you have worked with) prior to the application deadline.
3. Deadline: February 28, 2025
4. Students will be notified the week of March 17th

Undergraduate Microscopy Workshop Flyer

Student Application Form

Faculty Recommendation Form

Please contact Austin Worden for any questions!