Leica SP8 Confocal Microscope
The ISU Advanced Bioimaging Facility is open to users from throughout the Midwest region. The Facility features a 2019 Leica SP8 Confocal Microscope with White Light Laser and Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) capability. The SP8 is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation. See the award page for more details.
See the Videos page for a discussion of the facility and some of the available applications.
For scheduling and user information please contact Kevin Edwards, kaedwar@ilstu.edu
Training courses: The graduate training course for the SP8 is BSC 411 Confocal Microscopy in Biology. It will be offered in Fall 2023. Students: BSC 411 has 1 hr per week of lecture/computer work from 1-1:50 on Fridays, and a separate 75 min of training per week at the SP8. The lab section schedule will be determined once we know everyone’s availability. There is limited space, so please email kaedwar@ilstu.edu if you plan to enroll. Undergraduates: BSC 356 is the undergrad SP8 training course, and runs concurrently with BSC 411; contact Dr. Edwards for an override.
![Confocal microscope](https://about.illinoisstate.edu/confocal/files/2019/12/SP8scope-screens-1024x574.jpg)
![](https://about.illinoisstate.edu/confocal/files/2019/12/Ser001s10api_Lng_5-25_max_5CH-1024x605.jpg)
![Microscope at ISU](https://about.illinoisstate.edu/confocal/files/2019/12/SP8scope-head-on-866x1024.jpg)
![Leica software screenshot](https://about.illinoisstate.edu/confocal/files/2019/12/Screenshot150-LASX-SG-1024x574.jpg)
![Schematic diagram of confocal microscope](https://about.illinoisstate.edu/confocal/files/2019/12/Leica_SP8_scanhead2019sm-983x1024.jpg)
![Microscope images comparing confocal and widefield microscopy](https://about.illinoisstate.edu/confocal/files/2020/08/191116nwpc_5050L-1024x788.jpg)