Microscopy & Microanalysis 2009 Meeting
July 26-30, 2009
Richmond, Virginia, USA
Pre-meeting Sunday Short Courses
 GFP Cytochrome C in BHK cells Courtesy of Brian Herman |
These full-day courses run from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM on Sunday.
Morning and afternoon coffee breaks are provided; lunch is on your own from on-site vendors.
Each course has a fee of $150 ($220 after June 15, 2009).
X-10 Electron Tomography in Life and Material Sciences
Ilke Arslan and Montserrat Barcena
This short course will explain the basics of tomography, the experimental setups, and the instrumental prerequisites, illustrated by application examples. Bright-field, energy-filtered, and STEM tomographic methods will be discussed, emphasizing high resolution for materials applications, and low-dose cryo imaging for biological applications. A variety of reconstruction algorithms will be covered, as well as a survey of 3-D analysis and visualization methods. We intend the course to be of interest to both beginners and already-experienced users of electron tomography.
X-11 Cryo-preparation and immuno-labeling for TEM
Kent McDonald and Helmut Gnaegi
In this course, we will briefly review why cryotechniques for specimen preparation ensure the best available preservation of cellular fine structure. We will discuss some low-cost alternatives for those wishing to get started with cryomethods, as well as demonstrate some of the latest equipment and techniques for high pressure freezing and cryosectioning. CryoSEM, freeze fracture, and the Tokuyasu method for immunolabeling will also be discussed. Persons taking this course should leave with a working knowledge of these cryotechniques, which they can apply immediately to their own research, whether it involves tomography, cryosectioning, or EM immunolabeling.
X-12 Digital Imaging 102: Image Processing and Analysis
John Russ
Detailed live illustrations of the various steps for enhancing images for presentation and extracting numeric data for analysis. Comparison of various approaches applied to representative images is shown with basic but minimal theory. Morning: Survey of the principal operations for image processing - removal of random noise, correction of nonuniform brightness, enhancement of edges and local detail, corrections for focus problems, etc. Afternoon: Image thresholding, morphological processing of the binary images, delineation of features of interest for measuremens of object density (or color), position, size and shape, stereological intepretation of data.
X-13 Digital Imaging 101: Scientific Imaging with Photoshop
John Mackenzie
The workflow for scientific digital images will be presented. Optimization of images for display, prints, reports, posters, and publications will be demonstrated using Adobe Photoshop. Printers will be discussed in detail with emphasis on the most affordable solutions. Topics include: Use of histogram stretching and gamma correction for achieving publication quality prints; workflow for scanning negatives and prints at maximum resolution; calibration of scanners; best practices, formats, and standards for archiving scientific digital images; the ethics of scientific imaging.
X-14 Focused Ion Beam Methods
Joe Michael and Lucille Giannuzzi
The use of single platform FIB and dual platform FIB/SEM instruments in materials and biological science laboratories is growing rapidly. The versatility and the capabilities of these tools are also rapidly improving. This course will first cover ion/solid interactions that are so important for a user of FIB instrumentation to understand. We will then discuss techniques of sample preparation for SEM and TEM. The course will conclude with discussions of 3D applications and nanofabrication.
X-15 Live Cell Imaging Using Fluorescence Methods
Simon Watkins
Microscopic imaging tools are one of the principal methodologies applied to the living system. This day-long workshop concentrates on live cell imaging using fluorescence methods, focusing on optimization of the entire microscope system. The goal is to collect the highest quality, most robust quantitative data without perturbing the cells being imaged. Lectures on the fluorescent proteins will be presented as well as discussions of the merits of newer methods such as TIRF and multiphoton imaging. Demonstrations using cutting edge integrated systems from the major manufacturers will conclude the lectures: hands on experience of the power of live cell imaging approaches.
X-16 Imaging and Analysis with Variable Pressure or Environmental SEM
Brendan J. Griffin
This short course aims to take the challenge out of imaging in variable pressure SEM mode. We will sequenÂtially address VPSEM column compoÂnents and operation, electron (SE and BSE), light (CL) imaging and x-ray analysis strategies and detectors for both biological and materials samples. Procedures for monitoring instrument performance and optimizing image quality will then be presented. ExÂamples of the novel charge-related contrasts available in VPSEM will also be discussed. The appropriate use of hot, cool and cold stages is included. The course will conclude with invited manufacturer presentations on new developments. A CD with lecture PDFs is provided.
X 17 Interpretation of Microstructures 101 and Beyond
Frauke Hogue
This intensive course is designed for anybody who interprets microstructures Ð lab technicians, engineers, quality control personnel, failure analysts, designers. The meaning of general terminology such as equiaxed, grainflow, hotworked, duplex grainsize, will be defined and illustrated. Structures of steels, cast irons and tool steels are correlated to heat treatment, mechanical properties, phase diagrams and TTT diagrams. Microstructure features identifying the families of stainless steels are discussed as are the structures of superalloys, titanium, copper and aluminum alloys. Welding, cold rolling, casting and other manufacturing processes influence the microstructures in very specific ways. Learn how to read these markers.
