Confocal Microscope Laboratory History

May 5, 2018. The argon laser power supply for the LSM710 was replaced. Both systems are working well.

April 3, 2018. The argon laser power supply for the LSM710 stopped working.

March 3, 2018. The computer for the spinning disk system has been replaced. Both systems are working well.

January 5, 2018. The spinning disk computer stopped working.

April 21, 2017. Both systems are working. We are still encountering problems with the control computer for the spinning disk.

May 25, 2014. Both systems are working. The control computer for the spinning disk system does not always boot properly and so is not being shut down after usage.

June 7, 2012. General checkout is complete and users can now start their second round of training.

May 10, 2012. LSM 710 is installed. General training is scheduled for June 6.

April 24, 2012. The UPS for the new confocal has arrived and will be installed on Friday.

April 18, 2012. Sufficient power has been placed in room B347.

April 17. The scanning electron microscope is now in room B340.

April 2012. The Imaris analysis workstation is now in B325.

March 12, 2012. We have chosen room B347 to contain the LSM710.

January 2012. After demonstrations from four vendors, we chose a Zeiss LSM 710 to enhance plant research at UNT.

September 2011. We received funding from the National Science Foundation to buy a laser scanning confocal microscope to enhance plant research and training.

Friday, December 17, 2010. The Imaris analysis computer was moved to room B347 in the new Life Science Complex Building.

Friday, February 27, 2009. The computer power supply was repaired and the system is running again.

Thursday, February 26, 2009. The computer is down until further notice due to internal arcing.

Monday, December 1, 2008. We have a new mulitchoric that can be used with the the following wavelengths: 405, 488, 532, 647 nm.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008. The system is back up, but simplePCI is not working fully, but good enough for people to do confocal microscopy.

Friday, November 21, 2008. The microscope controlling computer failed to boot. This system is down until further notice.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008. The 532 Melles Griot solid state laser was placed back in service. Its output power is better than specified but the power as measured at the 5x objective is less than expected.

Thursday, February 20, 2008. The Sutter LB10-3 filter wheel controller was placed back in operation after being sent back to Sutter for a firmware update.

Monday, January 28, 2008. The 532 Melles Griot solid state laser was sent back to McBain for assessment due to its power being down by more than 50%.

Thursday, 3 May, 2007. The Micropoint laser system has been installed and has been successfully used. The primary purpose of this new system is cell ablation.

Monday November 13, 2006. The analysis computer that runs the Imaris software is now in room 315.

Wednesday 1 November, 2006. The regulator on the air pump for the Kinetic Systems vibration control table developed a leak. It should be replaced by Friday.

Monday 30 and Tuesday 31 October. Lynsey Hamilton helped to diagnose software problems and to help with training on advanced SimplePCI topics. The specialist at Compix came up with two solutions that might decrease the number of confusing software problems that we have been having.

Friday, 13 October. Rick and Karl finished installation of missing items. The confocal channel is shown to be aligned correctly. The first 4 channel confocal image is generated! (Only one cable needs to be replaced, which they will send to us by mail.)

Monday 25 September. UPS installed so that both gas lasers can be run at the same time.

Friday, 22 September. Air compressor installed for air table.

Wednesday, 20 September. Blood cells were confocaled this afternoon by Jag and Kim.

Tuesday, 19 September. Microscope can be used by researchers. Not all channels are working and there are still minor calibrations and adjustments to be done, but the microscope can be used to confocal samples.

Monday, 18 September, 2006. The acquisition software is running correctly on two monitors!

Thursday, 31 August. Confocal emission filters and camera set up and microscope computer control training by Lynsey Hamilton.

Wednesday, 30 August. Confocal microscope lasers installed, but one is not working.

Tuesday, 29 August, 2006. Confocal microscope is being installed by Karl Jonhanson and Richard Chaban.