Life depends upon biochemical processes occurring at specific times and places within cells and tissues. Light microscopes are the most important tools used to observe this incredible organization.  

To help provide training in light microscopy, the KY INBRE Imaging Training and Education Center will be offering a three-day, in-person, hands-on short course for undergraduate and graduate students from Kentucky colleges and universities.  

This course will include 17 hours of hybrid lecture/lab instruction and take place in the teaching labs of Western Kentucky University. 

Shared occupancy lodging at the nearby Bowling Green Hyatt Place Hotel, as well as on-site meals will be provided at no charge to participants.

Participants will be selected through competitive application. Application review will begin December 5 and notification of acceptance given beginning December 10.

Topics covered in the lectures will be:

• • basic light optics

  • methods for producing contrast in biological samples

  • basics of digital imaging

  • purchasing, care, and maintenance of light microscopes.

In the lab, each student will be provided an advanced teaching microscope to learn the following types of microscopy:

• • brightfield

  • darkfield

  • phase contrast

  • polarized light

Two other types of microscopy, Nomarski differential interference contrast and epi-fluorescence microscopy, will be demonstrated, and deconvolution and confocal fluorescence microscopy will be introduced.

This short course may be taken for 1-hour of credit through WKU; if interested, please inquire for details and costs.

All inquiries can be directed to john.andersland@wku.edu