Contents

1. Personnel Changes:  Introduction of Satoshi Komatsu and Katherine Siebeneck (Katie).
2. Instrument Updates:

• Retirement of the Nikon A1R and one Bruker two-photon microscope
• Nikon NSTORM super-resolution is available
• Installation of the new Andor BC43 Spinning Disk Confocal

1. Current and Upcoming Demonstrations:

• Zeiss Lightfield 4D microscope system (Feb 12th 11am for virtual seminar and week of Feb 23rd for on-site demo)
• Cytation C10 Confocal Imaging Reader (Week of March 2nd)
• Imaris seminar and on-site consultation (March 31st)

1. Instrument Free Trial:

• TOMOCUBE (still available in HCI 1410)
• Keyence B-X1000 Brightfield and Widefield All-in-One System (Feb 13th, Teams talk; Feb 18th, on-site representative training; then available in HSC 48B)

1. Imaris Software License Update

• Software Update from Imaris 10 to Imaris 11 with Machine Learning capabilities

1. HSC Cell Imaging Core Website Updates
2. Acknowledgements and Rate Changes

1. Personnel Changes

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Satoshi Komatsu has joined our core facility, bringing his expertise to us from Texas.   

Satoshi has a strong background in biology and specialized training in advanced microscopy, including Zeiss and Leica confocal systems. He is also an expert in sample preparation and imaging analysis, with proficiency in tools such as Imaris and ImageJ. 

Please join us in welcoming him to the team. A brief biography is provided below. 

My name is Satoshi Komatsu. Leveraging expertise in cellular and molecular biology, I have dedicated my career to addressing fundamental cell biological problems with significant implication for tissue regeneration and vascular treatment, combining biological, optical, materials, and computational approaches. I have also collaborated with multiple colleagues through imaging facilities and facilitated numerous interdisciplinary collaborative projects. I am confident that my expertise will complement the existing research strengths in the Cell Imaging core facility at U of U and contribute to the progress of your research projects. 

We are so pleased to welcome Katherine Siebeneck (Katie) to our Imaging Core team.

Katie is our newest team member, fulfilling the role of the Cell Imaging Lab Specialist!  Katie earned her Biology B.S. and International Studies B.S. at the University of Utah.  Since graduating, she has enjoyed working in the scientific research industry, studying synapses in neurons as a research associate. Now she brings her skills and experience to the HSC Cell Imaging Cores facilities, and will assist the Cell Imaging team in maintaining the microscopy instruments and assist users with their requests. She is ecstatic to have the opportunity to learn about the wide variety of ongoing research taking place in collaboration with HSC Cell Imaging Cores facilities. She is ready to train users for EVOS system and soon be ready for Zeiss Slide Scanner system. 

2. Instrument Updates

Retirement of the old Nikon A1R microscope and one Bruker two photon microscope

After over a decade of dedicated service as a core instrument, our Nikon A1R confocal microscope was fully retired last year. It has now found a new home at a different location within the University of Utah, where it continues to support our research community. We are actively seeking a replacement for our core facility. 

Additionally, one of our Bruker two-photon (2P) microscopes was also retired last year. This leaves our core with a single operational two-photon system. 

Nikon TIRF+ Super Resolution Microscope  

We are pleased to announce the acquisition of a Nikon NSTORM super-resolution microscope. 

Due to its advanced specifications, please consult with our core staff prior to your first use to ensure it is suitable for your experimental needs. 

!!! New Andor BC43 Spinning Disk Confocal Microscope!!!

Great news! Our new Ander BC43 Benchtop spinning disk confocal microscope is arriving soon and will be set up in HSC 48B. 

We will schedule training and open the booking system once installation is finalized. Get ready to explore this fantastic new instrument! 

Main Features: 

• Microlens dual spinning disk system, for deep imaging without haze from pinhole crosstalk 
• Transmitted Light modes: Brightfield and Differential Phase Contract 
• Epifluorescence via Widefield bypass mode 
• Borealis illumination for flat and homogeneous field of view, and seamless stitching 
• Excitation lines 405nm, 488nm, 561nm & 638nm  
• Quad-band Emission filter 445-521-594-698 for fastest acquisitions 
• Fusion BC43 acquisition software for multi-dimensional experiments in 2D, 3D, time series, multi-field, multi-well, and large area or volume montage with image stitching. 
• Renders 3D images in real-time as a volume. 
• Imaris Quant for high-quality snapshots, movie creation, isosurface reconstructions.  
• Imaris ClearView Haze removal deconvolution module 
• Live Cell Imaging with TOPSTAGE-ANDOR-UNO-PLUS Incubator Bundle  

Objectives: 

• 2X standard lens for a quick overview of the whole sample 
• 20X Plan Apo LD Air Object 0.8NA 0.8WD 
• 40X Plan Apo LS Sil Oil Obj 1.25NA 0.3WD (featured lens: good for imaging 3D cell cultures and thick tissue samples with high resolution and long working distance) 
• 60X Plan Apo LD Oil Object 1.42NA 0.15WD 
• 100x Plan Apo LD Object 1.45NA 0.13WD 

Software Modules: 

• ClearView haze removal fusion benchtop module 
• Stitch Montage acquisitions in XYZ 
• Irregular-shaped(polygon) montage region 
• Focus map and Tilt correction US 

Imaris Quant Package-Separate PC allows offline analysis 

• IQ/OQ Installation Qualification / Operational Qualification to ensure the performance of BC43. 

3. Current and Upcoming Demonstrations 

Zeiss Lightfield 4D microscope system  

We are pleased to co-host a virtual seminar with Zeiss on Thursday, February 12th, at 11:00 AM to introduce the new Zeiss Lightfield 4D microscope. 

The seminar will cover the basic features of Lightfield technology and the specific sample preparation requirements for this system. 

During the week of February 23rd, Zeiss will conduct an in-person demonstration of the Lightfield 4D microscope in HCI RN Room 3234. Users are welcome to bring their own samples to test this fantastic instrument. 

To register for either event, please visit the news section of our website. 

Cytation C10 Confocal Imaging Reader 

We are also pleased to co-host a demonstration with Dr. Mo from the Department of Human Genetics featuring the Cytation C10 Confocal Imaging Reader. 

Features of this Imaging Reader:  

• Automated confocal microscopy in fluorescence. Automated widefield microscopy in brightfield, color brightfield and phase contrast.  
• Magnification from 1.25x to 60x air and 40x to 60x water immersion.  
• Hamamatsu Orca sCMOS camera (16-bit grayscale).  
• Primary confocal spinning disk with 60– micron pinholes; configurable secondary disk.  
• Variable bandwidth monochromator detection of fluorescence intensity, UV-Vis absorbance, and luminescence.  
• Incubation to 45 Deg C and shaking. 

This seminar and hands-on demonstration will be held during the week of March 2nd in the Human Genetics Building. Please stay tuned for detailed scheduling and registration information. 

Imaris seminar and on-site consultation  

We are pleased to announce that Tomas, our Imaris representative, will visit us on Tuesday, March 31st. 

The schedule for the day is as follows: 

• 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: “Lunch & Learn” Presentation 

             o Tomas will present on the new features in the latest release, Imaris Version 11. Light lunch will be provided. 

• Afternoon: In-Person Consultations 

           o Location: HSC Room 60 

           o Users are encouraged to sign up for one-on-one sessions to consult with Tomas directly. Please bring your specific questions and raw data projects for tailored advice and solutions. 

Registration/details: A follow-up announcement with a sign-up link and further details will be sent as the date approaches.  

4. Instrument Free Trial

TomoCube Holotomography Microscope Announcement 

The TomoCube Holotomography Microscope is still available in HCI 1410. We will keep this instrument for a couple of months. Meanwhile, we will host another Lunch and Learn seminar and workshop event in early March. A detailed notification will be sent out once we have more information. Users are welcome to use the TomoCube by consulting our core members.  

The instrument is particularly well-suited for timelapse live-cell 2D or 3D cultures and can image up to 140um deep into organoids and spheroids. The 3D refractive index map provides very high-resolution images of cell morphology and structure, and resolves several subcellar structures, such as mitochondria. The three-channel epifluorescence module provides the option to visualize additional fluorescently labeled markers or fluorescent proteins.  

Keyence BZ-X1000 Announcement
A new Keyence BZ-X1000 all-in-one fluorescence microscope will be available after February 18th for users to try for free. Together with Keyence, we will host a virtual Teams meeting on Friday, February 13th, from 12:00 to 13:00 to learn about the features of this instrument. On Wednesday, February 18th, a Keyence representative will bring the BZ-X1000 in and demonstrate it. Users are welcome to join this demo and test their samples. After this demo, the BZ-X1000 will remain in HSC RM 48B for a couple of weeks. We will add a calendar for the Keyence BZ-X1000 so users can schedule its use. Please obtain training from core members first.
To register for the virtual meeting and demonstration, please visit the News section of our core website. 

5. Instrument Free Trial

We are pleased to announce a significant upgrade to our Imaris software licensing, which made possible through generous contributions. 

We extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Mary Beckeley for transferring an additional Imaris license from her lab to the core facility. This generous transfer saves the core several thousand dollars. Furthermore, we are grateful to the HCI for contributing an additional $3,000. These combined efforts have allowed us to upgrade to the current version of Imaris and implement a shared floating license. 

Key Benefit: This new license structure allows up to two users to run Imaris simultaneously, dramatically improving access and efficiency for our core users. 

In other news, with the installation of our new Andor BC43 Spinning Disk Confocal microscope, we will also be adding ClearView deconvolution to our available services. We will provide a full update once the system is operational.   

6. HSC Cell Imaging Core Website Updates

Our core facility website has been updated with new resources designed to serve you better. 

Key Updates: 

• New User Guidelines: This section provides detailed steps for registering as a core user and general guidelines to follow. Please review these instructions carefully and submit all required forms to our office to complete your registration. 
• News & Announcements: Stay informed about core facility events, our involvement in campus activities, and important operational updates. 
• Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A): Find answers to common questions about our services and policies. 

Coming Soon: 

We are working diligently to expand our Services section. This update will provide detailed information on each instrument, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to assist with user training and troubleshooting. 

We encourage you to explore the new site and utilize these resources. 

7. Acknowledgements and Rate Changes

Request for Publication Acknowledgments 

Please remember to acknowledge the HSC Cell Imaging Core in any publications that include data generated using our instruments and services. Proper acknowledgment is crucial for demonstrating the core’s impact, which directly supports our continued funding and operations. 

Please refer to the Publications section of our website for guidance on acknowledging the HSC Cell Imaging Core in your manuscripts. 

Notice of Rate Adjustment 

To ensure the sustainability and quality of our services, we will implement a 5% increase in our service rates, effective February 1, 2026. This adjustment is necessary due to rising costs of materials, service contracts, and general operational expenses. 

We remain deeply committed to providing our users with the same high-quality, reliable service and support. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.