Re: room for two-photon microscopy: checking environment

Posted by Craig Brideau on
URL: http://confocal-microscopy-list.275.s1.nabble.com/room-for-two-photon-microscopy-tp7581373p7581390.html

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You will need cooling to handle the heat from the lamps and lasers, as well
as the people occupying the room.  You will want filtered air to keep dust
to a minimum.  Temperature should be stable to +/-1 degree C, which is
often one of the hardest criteria to meet.  Humidity should be kept
reasonable, and provision should be made for dehumidification if it is a
damp environment.  Regarding vibration, is the room on an upper floor?
 Basement is ideal, but if you are on an upper floor you will want good
passively-damped tables that are fairly thick.  Also make sure you can get
the optical tables into place without having to knock a hole in the wall,
so check door widths, elevator capacities, etc.  Make sure light switches
for the room are near where the operator(s) will sit.  Make sure sample
prep areas are nearby and appropriately equipped (sinks, incubators,
whatever you need).  Make sure you have mounts for any gas bottles and that
they meet the safety standards required in your area.

That's what I've got off the top of my head, I'm sure others will have much
more to add!

Craig


On Wed, Dec 11, 2013 at 3:02 PM, Arvydas Matiukas <[hidden email]>wrote:

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> Hello List,
>
> We are going to move to new  research building with all
> current microscopy equipment. Few new microscopes (
> confocal, 2-photon and STED-superresolution)
> will be installed as well.  I ordered all the walls painted
> matte black. I hope it makes a lot of difference . You
> already can notice that when making a photo.
> We installed red overhead light as an selectable option.
>
> Taking the occasion of the thread I would like to ask
> about other important issues to follow up before we
> move. Manufacturers of microscopes suggest to check
> the room for vibration, conditioning airflow, dust-free,
> clean power. Any feedback/advise is highly appreciated.
>
> Best regards,
> Arvydas
>
>
>
> Arvydas Matiukas, Ph.D.
> Director of Confocal&Two-Photon Core
> Department of Neurosci& Physiology
> SUNY Upstate Medical University
> 766 Irving Ave., WH 3167
> Syracuse, NY 13210
> tel.: [phone]
> fax: [phone]
> email: [hidden email]
> >>> "Jurkevic, Aleksandr" <[hidden email]> 12/9/2013 7:40 PM >>>
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> Hello All,
>
> We are about to renovate the room for two-photon microscopy and I wonder
> what suggestions you might have about reducing light pollution that affects
> NDDs. As one of the measures, we are planning to paint walls and ceiling in
> black. What about "small" things like aluminum electrical channels, wall
> shelves, air vents? Have they also to be painted in dark colors or that
> would be an overkill? I would appreciate if you share your solutions.
>
> Alexander
>
>
> Alexander Jurkevic, PhD
> Associate Director
> Molecular Cytology Core
> University of Missouri
> 120 Life Sciences Center
> 1201 E. Rollins St.
> Columbia, MO 65211-7310
>
> Phone:    [phone]
> Fax:           [phone]
>
>
>