The Live Cell Imaging Core Facility (LCI) - our offer
LCI allows researchers to perform conventional and high throughput confocal and widefield microscopy, fast confocal microscopy, Fluorescence Life Time Imaging (FLIM), multiphoton microscopy, spectral imaging, super resolution microscopy and light sheet microscopy. Additionally, specialized equipment is available for laser micro-dissection, cell picking, micro-patterning and micromanufacturing. We also provide high-end commercial software and freeware for image processing and analysis.
Services
We offer an initial discussion with valuable advice on experimental and sample design. We will then decide together which system is best suited for your project.
- You will get a thorough one-to-one training with your own sample in the chosen type of system. The aim is that, at the end of training, you have acquired a solid theoretical and practical knowledge of the machine, the software, the sample, the experimental design and the requirements for reliable image analysis.
- You will have a 24/7 access to the equipment you have trained on. The training to one type of equipment will give you access to several microscopes.
- You will be offered continuous support and guidance after you have been trained, refresher sessions if you have forgotten something and new expert discussion when your project evolves.
- You will receive expert help and advice to build your image analysis pipeline with our in-house image analysis specialist.
- You will have access to fast servers and LCI analysis software (VDI and Remote Desktop).
- Regardless of whether you are and LCI member or not, you are always welcome to join the yearly LCI microscopy course.
Equipment
Microscopes
- Zeiss single and multiphoton confocal (Zeus)
- Nikon single point confocals (Dragon, Pegasus) with fast resonant scanners, and spectral detectors
- Nikon multipoint confocals (spinning disk) (Victor, Orion, Tweety)
- Nikon widefield (Victor, Orion, Tweety, Pegasus, Minerva)
- Nikon TIRF (Pegasus, Victor)
- Nikon STORM super resolution (Pegasus)
- Nikon DeepSIM super resolution (Orion)
- M-Squared Light Sheet (Aurora)
- Nikon JOBS High content screening module (Dragon, Tweety, Orion, Pegasus, Victor)
- Primo (Alveole) micropatterning and micromanufacturing device (Tweety)
- MMI laser capture microdissection and cell picking system (Minerva)
- MMI Slide scanner with a colour camera (Minerva)
- Imaris, NIS-Element, Zen, Fiji, Cell Profiler, Deconvolution, ImSpector, MatLab, Python, CTFire, Omero
Objectives
- Objectives that are permanently available on each of our NIKON microscopes
- Objectives that are rotating between our NIKON microscopes
- Objectives available on Zeus
- Objectives available on Minerva
Image analysis platforms
The LCI analysis software is located on two powerful servers which can be accessed from any computer.
VDI
VDI is shared by several users and less powerful. There is a fee for using the VDI, except for users with an LCI membership.
Remote Desktop
Remote Desktop is for one user at a time and it is much more powerful. There is a fee for using Remote Desktop.
Image analysis platforms: access and how to get started
Data Management using OMERO
OMERO is a database that allows you to manage and share your data easily (even outside of KI) as well as do other useful things, such as making figures for publications and posters. The OMERO server and database are located inside Karolinska Institutet so it is safe to use but you can anyway access your data from anywhere, over the web.
Instructions to get started with OMERO
Fees
Training fees and microscope usage options
We have membership or hourly fee options for usage of the microscopes and/or Image analysis platforms.
Microscope usage fee options
- The membership fee (1, 3, 6 or 12 months) covers using the microscopes one has been trained on, support and access to the VDI
- The hourly fee covers using the microscopes one has been trained on, support but does not cover access to the VDI
Image analysis platforms usage fee options (VDI and Remote Desktop)
- Membership fee for using the VDI (1, 3, 6 or 12 month)
- Hourly fee for using the Remote Desktop
Please note that the training and membership fees are individual and cannot be transferred from one user to another, even from the same lab.
Training fees (SEK)
| Service/type of training | Fee |
|---|---|
| Specialised equipment **, *** | 1800 |
| Microscopes* | 10800 |
| Second training | 9000 |
| Administrative fee (mandatory for first training) | 1200 |
- * Widefield, spinning disk, TIRF, confocals, light sheet, STORM
- ** Cost for material not included
- *** Laser micro-dissection, cell picker, micro-patterning, micromanufacturing, slide scanner, transmitted light only
Membership fees (SEK)
| Service/equipment | 12 months | 6 months | 3 months | 1 month | 2 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microscopes and analysis (VDI) | 25000 | 15000 | 9000 | 4000 | NA |
| Specialised equipement* | 15000 | 11000 | 8000 | 4000 | 3000 |
| Analysis only (VDI) | 6000 | 4000 | 2500 | 1500 | NA |
- * Laser micro-dissection, cell picker, micro-patterning, micromanufactering, slide scanner
Hourly fees (SEK)
| Service/equipment | Hourly fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Microscopes | Mon-Fri 09:00-18:00 (office hours) | 300 |
| Microscopes | Outside office hours (including weekends) | 150 |
| Imaging by staff | 1000 (+ hourly fee for microscope) | |
| Remote Desktop | All hours | 50 |
| LCI expertise | For LCI users | Free |
| LCI expertise | For non LCI users | 450 |
NB! Companies pay double the price listed in the tables, plus 25 percent VAT.
Some of the LCI training fees give access to several microscopes:
- Nikon single point confocals training fee: 2 confocal systems (Pegasus, Dragon)
- Nikon widefield training fee: 5 widefield systems (Orion, Victor, Tweety Pegasus and Minerva), 2 TIRF systems (Pegasus and Victor) and 3 spinning disk confocal (Orion, Victor and Tweety) systems, STORM system (Pegasus)
- Zeiss confocal training fee: 1 confocal with a multiphoton option (Zeus)
- Light sheet training fee: 1 light sheet system (Aurora)