All Available Courses

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​​Aurion ImmunoGold Silver Staining

The objective of the course is to provide researchers with the opportunity to learn the theory and practice of immunogold labeling. Participants will process their own samples under the expert guidance of our tutors, who are experts in Immuno Gold Silver Staining techniques.

During the workshop attendees will receive theory, including but not limited to : immune detection, in situ hybridization, silver enhancement, as well as background issues. There will be  time for practice as well . Attendees will be able to work with their own specimens as well as ones we will have prepared. A full review of incubation methods, testing of antigenicity and reactivity, complete principles of immunogold labeling, as well as preparation of conjugates for EM as well as LM will be covered.

See when this workshop is available here.

 

Automated Rapid Processing

The preparation of samples for EM requires many steps with extended wait times in between which requires an entire day of a technician’s time. This process consists of several fixative, wash, dehydration, and resin infiltration steps, which are tedious and prone to temporal variability between runs. With the use of an automated tissue processor or microwave both reducing a technician’s time and better continuity between processing runs is obtained.

This class will introduce participants to the use of a dedicated lab microwave, EMS 9000, and 2 models of automated tissue processors Lynx II, and Microscopy Innovation’s ASP 1000 for processing tissue samples for TEM.

See when this workshop is available here.
 

​Biological SEM

This course will introduce participants to methods of sample preparation and SEM parameters and operation needed for accurate analysis.

The preparation of samples will start with determination of ROI and subsequent selection of gross cut orientation and determination of which dehydration technique to use, freeze drying, HMDS, Hitachi’s ionic liquid or critical point drying (CPD). The chemical processing required before CPD will be stressed. Special attention will be paid to orientation, stability and grounding of the sample when mounting to facilitate ease of imaging. The advantages, disadvantages and instrument requirements for the various coating materials, Au, Pt, Pt/Pd will be discussed.

Selection of accelerating voltage (kV) and spot size are critical for surface detail, resolution, and charging and will be covered in detail. Parameters such as working distance for depth of field (Dfi) and resolution, plus tilt and raster rotate will be examined for proper image collection.

See when this workshop is available here.

 

Biological TEM

Biological Chemical Processing, Ultramicrotomy, and TEM: The proper chemical processing of biological samples for TEM observation is essential to maintain representative morphology and ultrastructural detail. This course will cover the buffers, fixatives, dehydrants, and embedment resins most often used for EM with heir individual advantages and disadvantages discussed. The preparation of these various solutions, when necessary, will be calculated and preformed. The microwave will be utilized for all steps except polymerization. The need for specialized protocols when using specific tissues such as myelinated nerve, which requires extended infiltration, will be discussed. Epoxy (Embed 812) and acrylic (LR White) resins will be available.

The TEMs ability to provide sub-nanometer resolution is dependent ultimately on sample thickness, typically 60 nm or less. To obtain sections of this dimension requires specialized equipment, ultramicrotomes, high quality diamond knives, and a skilled technician. The process of trimming, thick sectioning for OLM observation, thin sectioning, section retrieval, and section assessment will be the major focus of this workshop. Basic operation of the TEM will include specimen insertion, condenser and objective astigmatism correction, and critical focusing.

See when this workshop is available here.

 

​Cryosectioning/Immunogold

The objective of the course is to provide researchers with the opportunity to learn the theory and practice of the use of Cryo sectioning with Diamond Knives, and immunogold labeling. Participants will process their own samples under the expert guidance of our tutors, who are experts in Cryosectioning and Immuno Gold Silver Staining techniques.

During the workshop attendees will receive theory, including but not limited to : Cryosectioning, immuno detection, in situ hybridization, silver enhancement, as well as background issues. There will be time for practice as well. Attendees will be able to work with their own specimens as well as ones we will have prepared. A full review of sectioning, incubation methods, testing of antigenicity and reactivity, complete principles of immunogold labeling, as well as preparation of conjugates for EM as well as LM will be covered.

See when this workshop is available here.

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​Cryo SEM

This course will cover the process of rapid freezing, fracturing, coating and imaging of a variety of samples.

Many types of samples such as ice cream, pastes, paints, and gels do not lend themselves to routine SEM sample preparation methods such as critical point drying or freeze drying due to the morphologic changes caused by desiccation. To avoid these artifacts it is necessary to image the hydrated or natural state. This requires that the sample be rapidly frozen, to reduce ice crystal damage, and fractured to reveal their physical / functional sub-surface morphology. These samples are applied to the stub, immersed in liquid nitrogen slush loaded into the Cryo fracturing and  coating chamber, and finally the SEM. This final preparation takes place in a high vacuum environment thus minimizing the possibility of frost contamination. Within the SEM, while viewing, the sample temperature can be maintained at –130 or warmed slightly to facilitate sublimation of the surface. The selection of accelerating voltage (kV), for surface detail, and spot size for resolution and charging are critical and will be covered in detail.

Parameters such as working distance which affects depth of field (Dfi) and resolution, plus tilt and raster rotate will be examined for proper image collection.

See when this workshop is available here.

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Introduction to Microscopy Techniques

This course will give participants an overview of the specimen preparation requirements, basic skill sets, and instrument theory /operation needed to perform as a technician in an electron microscopy laboratory. Light and electron optics as well as OLM, TEM, SEM alignments and operation will be introduced.

See when this workshop is available here.

 

​Materials Ultramicrotomy

Introduce individuals to the unique application of ultramicrotomy to materials, which provides several advantages over other common techniques such as ion milling, FIB, and tripod polishing for TEM analysis. The thin (≤ 30 nm) sectioning of metals, embedded powders, and polymers is a technique that provides samples with a uniform thickness, retention of elemental distribution, lack of ion implantation contamination, and proves to be much faster than other preparation methods such as ion milling, tripod polishing and FIB milling.

*Monday’s class is for individuals who are unfamiliar with microtomy. This day will be spent covering microtomy basics to prepare the individual for the advanced materials portion of the workshop.

See when this workshop is available here.

 

​​Microscopy: The Complete Image

This 2 week intensive course will prepare participants to enter the field of micros­copy with a strong emphasis on electron microscopy specifically. Both in-depth theory and extensive hands-on lab work in specimen preparation methodolo­gies, instrumentation, and image assessment are the prime focus of this course.

Sample preparation will cover cell/tissue requirements, tonicity, buffers, fixa­tives evaluation, fixation, dehydration and embedment. The process of microto­my, 0.5 μm and 60 nm, for OLM and TEM respectively, will take up a significant portion of the hands-on lab exercises. The theory and practical operation of the OLM, SEM, and TEM will complete the course and give the participant the information and skills necessary to function as an electron microscopy technician.

See when this workshop is available here.

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Pharmaceutical Chemical Imaging

This workshop is designed as an intensive introduction to chemical imaging in pharmaceutical development.

The workshop topics include theory, sample preparation, image generation, digital image analysis, and data presentation. It exclusively treats chemical imaging of pharmaceutical tablets.
The workshop is conducted over 2 days with a mixture of theory, demonstrations, and hands-on work. The emphasis is on laboratory exercises with real samples and attendees are encouraged to bring their own samples. The laboratory work uses SEM/EDS to illustrate chemical imaging although other images such as fluorescence and Raman maps will be discussed and illustrated.
The goal of the workshop is to teach the basic operations of chemical imaging to prepare the student to generate and interpret such images in their own laboratory.

See when this workshop is available here.

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Pharmaceutical Microscopy

This workshop is designed to introduce the major applications of microscopy in pharmaceutical development: polymorphism, particle size analysis, contaminant identification, and glass corrosion.

The workshop is conducted over 4½ days with a mixture of theory, demonstrations, and hands-on work. The course is designed to prepare the student to apply microscopy to solve solid-state pharmaceutical issues. The emphasis is on the practical use of the microscope.

See when this workshop is available here.

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Pharmaceutical Microscopy: Applications

This workshop is designed to introduce the major applications of microscopy in pharmaceutical development: polymorphism, particle size analysis, contaminant identification, and glass corrosion.

This workshop is designed to introduce the major applications of microscopy in pharmaceutical development: polymorphism, particle size analysis, contaminant identification, and glass corrosion.
The workshop is conducted over three days with a mixture of theory, demonstrations and hands-on work. The course is designed to prepare the student to apply microscopy to solve solid-state pharmaceutical issues. The emphasis is on the practical use of the microscope.

See when this workshop is available here.

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Pharmaceutical Microscopy: Polymorphism

This workshop covers the use of the microscope in both early pharmaceutical development when the form is chosen and in later stages of development where the form is monitored for stability.

The choice of the optimum solid-state form is critical for successful pharmaceutical development. Broadly defined, form includes polymorphs, hydrates, solvates, salts, co-crystals etc. Microscopy is well- suited to the study of solid-state form.
This workshop covers the use of the microscope in both early pharmaceutical development when the form is chosen and in later stages of development where the form is monitored for stability.
It covers the material in Chapter 8 Pharmaceutical Microscopy (Springer, 2011) along with selections from other chapters. The course emphasizes how microscopy is used in conjunction with other analytical techniques for form selection and analysis.

See when this workshop is available here.

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Pharmaceutical Microscopy: Techniques

This course is designed to teach the basic techniques and operations of pharmaceutical microscopy. Microscopy has a place in nearly all solid-state studies and is often a critical component to solving drug development issues.
For the optimum use of microscopy, one needs both good instrumentation and a skilled microscopist. This course is designed to teach the basic techniques and operations of pharmaceutical microscopy. We assume no prior knowledge of microscopy but a basic knowledge of solid-state pharmaceutical analysis.

See when this workshop is available here.

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Sample Preparation for Semiconductor Devices

This course covers sample preparation required for isolation of devices, circuit components, and defects on semiconductor wafers and loose die extracted from packages. These preparation steps are essential for further processing or analysis in SEM, FIB, TEM or Optical Microscopy.

In three days, we will review the background, and present methods, tools and workflow selection process, as well as provide hands on experience in aspects of wafer downsizing, sample cross-sectioning, device delayering and extraction.

See when this workshop is available here.

 

X-Ray Microanalysis

This course covers qualitative and semi quantitative analysis beginning with the generation of background and characteristic of x-rays, nomenclature, and peak family ratios.

Collection parameter settings of both the EDS system and microscope, their effect on the spectrum and quality of the subsequent quantification are of primary importance. The non-variable parameters of working distance and tilt will be demonstrated as well as the effect of accelerating voltage on background shape, x-ray spatial resolution, over-voltage requirements, and accuracy of ZAF matrix corrections examined. With the advent of the silicon drift detector (SDD) the pulse processor time constant and beam current (spot size) settings to control % dead time are almost a moot point but will be introduced for those who work with a SiLi detector.

Identification of individual elemental lines as well as methods used for determining peak overlaps such as peak shape, peak family ratio anomalies, and the presence of a peak unassociated with known elements will be paid particular attention.

Quantitative analysis will be limited to the use of ZAF and PhiRhoZ routines but the collection of standards and their use in a full quant will be discussed. Backscattered (BSE) imaging will be correlated with x-ray maps and spectral imaging results. Energy calibrations will also be performed.

See when this workshop is available here.