Summer 2025 Newsletter

August 28, 2025

By Joseph Dragavon

Contents

Dr.Erin Richards.
New ALMC staff Dr.Erin Richards.

Impressive numbers for FY25

FY25 has come to a close and our Advanced Light Microscopy Core has produced impressive numbers. Throughout the year, our resources were accessed by nearly 180 investigators from 64 different labs, and our instruments were used for 13,600 hours! In other words, the facility was used for nearly 40 hours each day, every day, over the course of the year. That is a lot! Not counted are the numerous additional hours of consultations and support that were provided. Way to go, everyone!

The images acquired within the facility are always beautiful and are even more popular than the facility itself. We have been invited (again!) to show some of our images at the East Boulder Rec Center for the month of July. As spots are extremely limited and the number of requests to show artwork is much greater than the available capacity, to be invited again is a real testament to the quality of the work that each of you do.

East Boulder Rec Center CU images.
CU up close images displayed at the East Boulder Rec Center in July.

New Microscopes!

Over the past few months, we have introduced two new microscopes to the larger community. The Evident VS 200 slide scanner can automatically image up to 210 standard format slides (1” x 3”) under color, polarized, and fluorescent conditions, using both air and oil immersion objectives. Perfect for individual cells and tissue sections alike, the VS200 enables a level of throughput that cannot be matched elsewhere on our campus. On the other end of the spectrum, now available is the Nikon AXR + NSPARC laser scanning confocal. The NSPARC detector incorporates a new detection methodology with essentially no read noise. What this means is any observed signal is real, and your background is virtually zero. As a result, you can maximize sensitivity and observe even the faintest of signals. Due to the sampling architecture, we can exceed conventional resolution limits down to 100 nm in XY, and 300 nm in Z. Finally, we have received funding to upgrade both the Imaris Workstation and the Nikon Widefield. We aim to have these done by the end of the summer. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you want to learn more!

Staff changes

The ALMC is undergoing significant changes to our staff. Dr. Shao Li left to pursue a different career path. While her stay with us was short, we would like to thank Shao for her time and the support she provided, and wish her the best of luck moving forward. While Shao’s tenure with us was short, we are fortunate to have Dr. Erin Richards (Palmer lab) join us! Erin brings significant microscopy and biology experience, and ensures that our Users will continue to receive experimental design and imaging support when needed.

After nine years of amazing support and impactful service, Dr. Jian Tay will be leaving the facility later this Fall. Jian started with the facility in 2016 as a part time employee focused on providing dedicated image analysis support using MATLAB. In 2020, he joined the facility full time and expanded his involvement to becoming a co-lecturer of our Quantitative Optical Imaging course (MDCB/BCHM 4312/5312). Jian elevated the capabilities of the facility, enabling the ALMC to provide continuous support from microscopy education to data acquisition to image analysis. Jian’s skills and expertise helped make the ALMC a truly unique microscopy Core, increased the rigor and reproducibility of the research, and helped to grow the reputation of our facility within the region and nationally. Please join us by thanking Jian for his tireless efforts and endless support.

Recent publications

If you have published recently, please let us know.