MOAI Ancillary Equipment

Andor iXon Life 888 EMCCD Scientific Camera.This is a spare EMCCD camera for temporary use on systems experiencing camera problems. It is among the most commonly used, high sensitivity cameras. Send requests for use explaining why it is needed and for how long to the MOAI Director: James.Bamburg@colostate.edu. MOAI microscopes have priority in the use of this camera, and it can be called back at any time it is needed.

Plasma Coverslip Cleaner: A Plasma Etch PE-25 plasma cleaner for preparing coverslips is located in room 245A of the MRB building (Prof. Markus lab). There is currently no charge for its use, and it may be used by anyone trained in its operation. Its application is mainly for preparing dust- and fluorescence-free coverslips to be used for single molecule imaging.  For training and use contact: Steven.Markus@colostate.edu

Physitemp TS4 Piezo Stage and Controller: This stage adapter holds only one 35 mm culture dish (without strengthening ring) with drilled out hole and mounted coverslip. The stage heats and cools rapidly and a thermistor for measuring the medium temperature is available. Maximum temperature is 60^o C and minimum is -20^o C but shifts within a few minutes at about 5-10 deg per minute. The stage can be used to observe cells while cooling or heating. Maximum objective power is 40x and no oil immersion objectives can be used with the stage because of distance limitations to access the coverslip. It can be used on either Keyence microscope (requires special handling for installation). Useful for heat shock studies. Contact: James.Bamburg@colostate.edu.

Fiber-Lite Illuminator for Side Illumination of Glass Slides: This side illumination system was designed to enhance the detection by light scattering of silver grains in emulsions overlaid on cells or tissues that have been radioisotope labeled. However, it can also be useful for illumination of samples in which dark field imaging works well or combined with polarization filter for reflective light on the Olympus Stereozoom Microscope. Dust particles in tissues have also been quantified using this system. Contact: Soham.Chanda@colostate.edu

Argolight POWERHM 2: This microscope slide-sized meter fits directly onto the stage and provides information on the laser power being delivered to the sample. It also contains a series of fluorescent grid lines (all visible wavelengths work) with different nm spacing that allows measuring directly the actual resolution of the microscope. It operates off a laptop computer with Argolight software and after October 1, 2025 can be signed out from the MRB MOAI facility. Contact: Alisa.Shaw@colostate.edu.

Micromanipulators: Two different styles of micromanipulators are available, one with X,Y Z control from three different dials and the other with a joystick control. May be signed out from MRB 224. Contact: Alisa.Shaw@colostate.edu

Grass Stimulator: This stimulator can be used for whole culture electrical stimulation at different frequencies and intensities for studying neuronal network excitation. May be signed out from MRB 224. Contact: Alisa.Shaw@colostate.edu