Microscopy Core
Offering state-of-the-art microscopy instrumentation and services to support our researchers.
About the Microscopy Core
The Microscopy Core offers support and training on a variety of high-end instrumentation and advanced methodologies for both light and electron microscopy.
The core also offers a wide range of sample preparation services for electron microscopy, and training and assistance with image analysis.
Need help?
- Request a project, consultation, or training with Microscopy Core experts.
- Are you a new user or need card reader access? Learn how to get started.
- All other inquiries should be directed via email to the Microscopy Core. Please do not use this e-mail to inquire about microscope training. Fill out the form instead.
Basic Microscopy Talk Series
Thursdays
10:00am - 11:00am
Brehm Tower in the Cure Room (Rm 5050) & Virtual
Join the BRCF Microscopy Core for a series of introductory sessions on light microscopy. Experts from the Core will provide foundational knowledge on how to use light microscopy to advance your research goals.
Sessions are stand-alone, choose the talks that are of most interest!
October 22-Introduction to Light Microscopy
November 5-Diffraction and Resolution From Acquisition to Publication
November 19-Advanced Techniques in Fluorescence Microscopy
December 3-Image Analysis
How We Serve Your Research Needs
Light Microscopy
The Microscopy Core houses a wide range of light microscopes and imaging systems. These instruments support a variety of imaging modalities.
Electron Microscopy
The Microscopy Core owns a basic transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) that are suitable for a large majority of biological EM imaging applications.
Image Analysis
The Microscopy Core provides researchers with support across a variety of open-source and commercial image analysis software packages.
- Commercial packages under support: Imaris, Nikon Elements, Leica LAS X and Lightning
- Commercial packages available for use but not currently under support: Aivia, Zeiss arivis, AutoQuant, MetaMorph
- Open Source: ImageJ (FIJI), CellProfiler, QuPath, and others
The BRCF Microscopy Core maintains workstations installed with and capable of efficiently running a variety of image analysis software packages:
BSRB Analysis PC #1
- Location: BSRB A830
- Available Software: NIS Elements, FIJI
BSRB Analysis PC #2
- Location: BSRB A830
- Available Software: Imaris, Arivis
Brehm Tower Analysis PC #3
- Location: Brehm Tower 6245
- Available Software: MATLAB, FIJI, NIS Elements
Brehm Tower Analysis PC #4
- Location: Brehm Tower 6245
- Available Software: AIVIA, Imaris, MATLAB
Brehm Tower 7th floor Analysis PC
- Location: Brehm Tower 7054
- Available Software: Imaris, MATLAB, Free Leica Application Suite (LAS X)
NCRC Analysis PC #1
- Location: NCRC B20 53S
- Available Software: Imaris, Arivis, NIS Elements
Med Sci II Analysis Computer (MSII-5631)
- Location: MSII-5631
- Available Software: NIS Elements, FIJI
Almost any feature or quality that can be imagined, such as number, size, shape, or intensity, can potentially be measured. Common image analysis requests include: Multi-channel Segmentation, Object Counting, Object Tracking, and 3D Rendering and Visualization.
If you are interested in image analysis, guidance, or education, please contact us.
Our Rates
Rates and fees for routine services are listed below. For complex projects that require extensive labor, please consider including core staff as key personnel on grant submissions. Contact us with any questions you may have.
Rates are subject to change following Office of Financial Analysis review.
| Device | Internal Peak | Internal Off-Peak | Overnight | External Academic | External Industry |
| All confocal, superresolution and lightsheet microscopes | $42/hr | $32/hr | $10/hr | $58/hr | $70/hr |
| Ti2 Widefield Microscope | $24/hr | $18/hr | $6/hr | $35/hr | $40/hr |
| Zeiss EVO 15 SEM & JEOL JEM-1400+ TEM | $42/hr | $32/hr | N/A | $58/hr | $70/hr |
| Leica EM UC7 Ultramicrotome* | $25/hr | $25/hr | N/A | $35/hr | $50/hr |
| Imaris | $8/hr | $8/hr | N/A | $12/hr | $20/hr |
For all instruments except the Yokogawa CellVoyager 8000, peak times are Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 6:00 pm. For the Yokogawa CV8000, peak times are 8:00 am Monday – 8:00 am Saturday. All other times are Off-Peak. For overnight time lapse experiments over 12 hours only, the time between 12:00 am – 8:00 am can be billed at the overnight rate. Please inquire regarding the cost and scheduling for time lapse experiments lasting more than 24 hours.
*Skilled users can use an ultramicrotome if they bring their own diamond knife. Training in ultramicrotomy is not typically provided, but could be offered to interested users and would be charged at the labor rate.
| Service | Internal | External Academic | External Industry |
| Training Per Hour Charge | $75 | $105 | $125 |
| Conventional EM Sample Preparation (1-4 samples) | $415 | $575 | $700 |
| Advanced EM Sample Preparation (1-4 samples) | $965 | $1,350 | $1,550 |
| Ultramicrotome Sectioning: Mesh Grids (per sample) | $155 | $225 | $250 |
| Ultramicrotome Sectioning: Slotted Grids (per sample) | $205 | $300 | $350 |
| Ultramicrotome Re-sectioning (per block) | $80 | $115 | $140 |
| Agarose embedding surcharge (1-4 samples) | $40 | $55 | $70 |
| Monolayer surcharge (1-4 samples) | $75 | $105 | $135 |
| Post-section staining (1-2 grids/sample) | $15 | $24 | $30 |
| High Pressure Freezing (per session) | $250 | $350 | $450 |
| Negative Staining (per session) | $50 | $70 | $90 |
| Critical Point Dryer (per use) | $100 | $135 | $160 |
| Glow Discharger (per use) | $50 | $70 | $90 |
| Sputter Coater (per use; up to 10 nm) | $50 | $70 | $90 |
| Sputter Coater (per use; each additional 10 nm) | $5 | $7 | $10 |
| Additional EM Labor Per Hour Charge | $75 | $105 | $125 |
| Clearing / Expansion Sample Prep (per sample) | $100 | $150 | $200 |
| Life Canvas Per Use Charge (excludes reagents) | $50 | $75 | $100 |
| Additional LM Labor Per Hour Charge | $75 | $105 | $125 |
| Image Analysis Labor Per Hour Charge | $75 | $105 | $125 |
Training is charged at the instrument rate plus the labor rate. Training typically lasts 2-4 hours but can take more or less time depending on the complexity of the experiment and the needs of the user. Any service not specified in the rate table will be charged at the labor rate.
Learning & Outreach
The Microscopy Core offers resources and workshops to support researchers with image analysis and microscopy. Future events will be added as they are offered. Researchers can also find self-guided resources and presentations from past lectures below.
Resources
Facilities & Resources
The BRCF Microscopy Core is a centralized, shared instrumentation facility occupying over 3,000 sq. ft. in the University of Michigan Biomedical Sciences Research Building. Smaller satellite sites are located in the Medical Sciences II building, Brehm Research Tower, and on North Campus in the NCRC. The core features cutting-edge equipment for both light and electron microscopy and supports facility users’ projects from conception through publication by providing consultation, training, and assistance with image acquisition and analysis. Biological sample preparation and sectioning for electron microscopy are also offered. The core is staffed by seven highly trained and experienced imaging scientists with expertise in advanced light and electron microscopy and imaging techniques.
To download an editable F&R document including a major equipment list, please click here. To request a letter of support for a grant, please contact the director.
Our Leadership
Gary Luker, MD
Professor, Associate Chair, MM Radiology
Jennifer Peters, PhD
CZI Imaging Scientist
Eric Rentchler, PhD
Light Microscopy Lead
Jing Liang, PhD
Electron Microscopy Lead
Stephen Lentz, PhD
Associate Research Scientist
Additional Staff
Senior LM and EM Specialist
Binyamin Jacobovitz
LM Specialist
Megan Bennett
EM Specialist
Questions?
Our Locations
Biomedical Science Research Building
109 Zina Pitcher Pl, Room A830
North Campus Research Complex
2800 Plymouth Rd, Building 20, Room 53S
Medical Sciences II
1137 Catherine St, Room 5631
Brehm Research Tower
1000 Wall St, Room 6245
About Us
The Microscopy Core is one of the Biomedical Research Core Facilities, and a part of the Medical School Office of Research, where our mission is to foster an environment of innovation and efficiency that serves the Michigan Medicine research community and supports biomedical science from insight to impact.
For more information, please refer to the New User Page or email [email protected]
Upcoming Research Events
Write Winning NIH R01 Grant Proposals
Basic Microscopy Talk Series
Benchtop Demo Day
BRCF Metabolomics Core Microbiome Symposium 2026
Innovations in Omics: Advancing Discovery Through Multiomics
Basic Microscopy Talk Series
10x Genomics Office Hours
Cryopreservation and Assisted Reproduction: Cost-effective methods for model management & sharing
Spatial Multiomics Seminar
Featured Research News
BRCF Holiday Closures
Reinvest Your Core’s Rent Budget with the Recharge Core Support Plan (RCSP)
