CNR Biological Imaging Facility, The University of California at Berkeley

Microscopy Facilities
at the University of California, Berkeley

There are three core laboratories on campus that offer expertise, instruction, and instrumentation in optical microscopy for research.

The CNR Biological Imaging Facility (This lab): Confocal, deconvolution, and widefield fluorescence microscopy, live-cell imaging, microtechnique, training in digital image processing and analysis. Located in 381 Koshland Hall
Molecular Imaging Center: Multi-photon laser scanning confocal microscopy, electrophysiology, live-cell imaging. Located in LSA and LKS.
Electron Microscopy Laboratory: Transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Located in Giannini Hall.
CIRM/QB3 Shared Stem Cell Facility: Available for the study of stem cells. Located in Stanley Hall
Core Facilities on the Berkeley campus.
The Golub Microscope Collection: Web site dedicated to Dr. Orville J. Golub's collection of antique microscopes from the 17th–20th Centuries. The collection is located in VLSB

The Biological Imaging Facility is a core microscope imaging lab at the University of California, Berkeley.
The BIF specializes in Live-Cell Widefield, Confocal (including FCS),
Spinning Disk, and Super-Resolution fluorescence microscopy
(SIM, PALM, TIRF).

Past IOMs

2006–2019

COVID-19 Policy

BIF will be Service Only during Phase 2

The Biological Imaging Facility will continue to be a Virtual Microscopy Facility for those labs that also have been approved for Phase 2 research. Microscope imaging will be done on a case-by-case basis.

If your lab has been approved and needs microscopy that BIF can offer, please contact Denise Schichnes

The microscopes available for your research are:

LSM710 confocal microscope
LSM880/FCS confocal microscope
Elyra PS.1 Super-Res microscope
AxioImager M1/M2 WF Fluorescence microscope
AxioObserver Z1 for live-cell imaging
Stereo Lumar fluorescence stereo microscope
IVIS in vivo Imager

Other instruments BIF staff will operate for you are:
Leica Cryostat
Leica Paraffin Microtome

This is our COVID-19 Phase 2 remote imaging SOP

Please DO NOT come to the BIF expecting to find someone or use instruments. The lab is locked.

Denise or Steve will do the sample/microscopy manipulation and imaging, or you may run the scope remotely if you wish.

BIF will charge only for microscope time.

If you have questions please call Denise (nine-two-five-40eight-02four). She will talk you through it.

Take care of yourselves and others.

Steve and Denise

Please visit the Vice Chancellor for Research website for guidance on Planning for Research Continuity

Roots of an endangered New Caledonian gymnosperm, the mountain kauri Agathis ovata. Although reminiscent of legume nodules, the conspicuous nodules on these roots facilitate symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi rather than nitrogen fixing bacteria. Images were taken on the Zeiss Lumar stereo microscope in the BIF.

Image contributed by Grady Pierroz of the Lemaux Lab

Microscopy Facilities at the University of California, Berkeley

Microscopy Facilities
at the University of California, Berkeley