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Events & Updates

Coming Soon

Multiphoton Microscopy!
We have secured funding for a new two-photon system for the core. Two-photon microscopy is an alternative to confocal microscopy for three-dimensional imaging. Two-photon excitation excels at imaging within intact tissues such as brain slices, embryos, whole organs. Two-photon microscopy is also used in vivo imaging of live mice, either through a brain window or through a direct surgical opening in the animal.
Once we have made our final selection of instrument components, we will order the system and expect installation for early 2026!  

New Microscopy Core Resources

 Zeiss Elyra 7 with Lattice SIM

  • Resolve structures down to 60 nm.
  • Observe live cell dynamics at up to 255 fps.
  • Accelerate image acquisition in all three dimensions.
  • Get the sharpest sectioning in wide-field microscopy.
  • Utilize a wealth of imaging techniques on one platform.

Contact us today for a free demonstration: jsantini@health.ucsd.edu

Elyra 7 SIM resolution

Olympus VS200 Slide Scanner

The sliding scanning system is superior in fluorescence and brightfield capabilities

Leica Center of Excellence

The UC San Diego School of Medicine Microscopy Core is now a Leica Center of Excellence! We have three Leica systems that are supported by Leica:

 

If you would like to benefit from our center's collaboration with Leica, you can do so in the following ways:

Write a White Paper!

White papers are short descriptions of your research application. Descriptions include use of our Leica systems along with a beautiful image.

Write a Techical Note!

Technical notes consist of more indepth description of methods used or developed on the Leica platform.

Both white papers and technical notes are a great way for you to increase the impact of your publication! Readers will naturally visit your publication after reading your Leica collaboration and potentially cite your paper.

Give a Webinar!

Leica can promote your lab and your research through hosting your talk to the world! 

Be a guest speaker at a local conference!

Leica can host you to be a guest speaker at one of the many local conferences held in San Diego.

If you are interested in any of these options or would like more information, please email us for details.

 

 

Webinars, Seminars and Demonstrations

 

Imaris Seminar: Unlocking the potential of microscopy images with IMARIS AI-powered analysis

LUNCH & LEARN SEMINAR: Molecular Devices ImageXpress

Date: Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Time: 10:00 - 11:00 AM PST

Location: Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior (CNCB)

Join us for an introduction to the ImageXpress® HCS.ai system, a high-content imaging system designed for both 2D and 3D cell models. We will cover how the ImageXpress HCS.ai system combines high resolution imaging with AI and machine learning powered analysis to deliver fast, reproducible results—whether you are working in fluorescence or brightfield.

This session will feature a talk from Chris Nishioka, Field Application Scientist, Molecular Devices, and highlight the system’s advanced hardware features, including confocal imaging, environmental control, and water immersion objectives, as well as the IN Carta® Image Analysis Software for streamlined image processing, cell counting, and data visualization.

 We look forward to seeing you at the event. Please note that breakfast will be provided for all attendees, and dietary restrictions can be accommodated upon request. 

Please REGISTER by Friday Jan. 16th!

 

 

Molecular Devices ImageXpress Onsite Demonstration

The system will be setup in the microscopy core for live demonstrations of the technology. Samples will be required for participation. To schedule your demonstration timeslot, please contact Christian Garcia (christian.garcia-so@moldev.com)

Date: February 2nd - 6th, 2026
CMME Basement - SOM Microscopy Core

 

Citation Guidelines for Using the SOM Microscopy Core

All publications using SOM Microscopy Core resources must cite the following grant numbers:

NS047101, OD030505, OD036455


Example acknowledgment:
Microscopy imaging was performed at the UCSD SOM Microscopy Core
(NS047101, OD030505, OD036455).