The Leuven center owns a spinning disk confocal microscope and a Structured Illumination confocal Microscope (SIM), complementing the open access equipment. The spinning disk confocal microscope is a powerful tool for the rapid spatial and temporal imaging of living cells. It permits
imaging of living cells on the millisecond timescale to reveal intricate biological dynamics. SIM is a technique that can improve the resolution of a fluorescence light microscope by a factor of two in x, y and z.

In addition, the unit is equipped with high pressure freezing equipment for rapid transfer and freezing of samples, which allows a handshake between the Light Microscopy (LM) and the existing Electron Microscopy (EM) platform which consists of two high performance TEMs, a SEM and preparatory devices. With this new equipment the transition from LM to EM is easy and gives a complete picture of dynamic subcellular organization at nanometer resolution.

Recently Electron Microscopy (EM) has gone from 2D to 3D capabilities. At the Ghent unit, we will elaborate on the technological advancements to develop 3D Correlative Light Electron Microscopy (CLEM). This unique technology that bridges the gap between EM and Light Microscopy (LM) will be a real game changer for cell biology research.

In addition to CLEM, the unit is at the forefront of advanced imaging techniques with high resolution confocal microscopes, TIRF, FRET/FLIM and two scanning electron microscopes, equipped for serial block face imaging. In addition, there is a computing center and a wet lab for specimen preparation with an integrated state-of-the-art flow cytometry core next door.

The Bio Imaging Core also collects and manages pictures submitted by VIB scientists.

As a scientist collecting data, you frequently produce many images that never see
publication but are worthwhile on their own. Therefore VIB has established a library
to give a good home to your extra images. These images can be used internally for
communication purposes but will also be licensed for other uses through a
collaborative arrangement with the Science Photo Library (SPL), leading provider of
scientific images to the general public. SPL will market the images for use in
textbooks, scientific communication (newspapers, TV, etc.) and even “artistic” uses
such as CD covers!

Once a year we will organize a reception for all contributors and display the best
images as chosen by popular vote. The top images will receive a nice prize.

Do you want to store your images in the VIB Bio Image Library?

Simply send them to:

• Chris Guérin - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

¹: technical assistance core staff costs a surplus of 75 €/h
²: technical assistance core staff obligatory and included

	VIB	Academic	Profit
Confocal devices (category A)	22.5 €/h	65 €/h1	190 €/h2
Confocal devices (category B)	37.5 €/h	110 €/h1	265 €/h2
Serial block face (Gatan 3View and FIB)	410 €/sample	2430 €/sample	4265 €/sample
SEM & TEM	55 €/h	400 €/h	700 €/h
Image processing	free	70 €/h	120 €/h
Storage - Confocal data set	27.5 €	n.a.	n.a.
Storage - Time lapse or spinning disk	70 €	n.a.	n.a.
Storage - 3D EM	140 €	n.a.	n.a.

GG