[OpenSPIM] openSPIM for core facility and is optical table necessary?

[Luke Stuyvenberg]

Hi Maria,

On 05/14/14, Maria wrote:
> I'm working in a microscopy core facility and we are thinking about building a SPIM. Do you think it is possible to run SPIM in this environment - I mean to train users to use the microscope on their own with occasional support? Or is too complicated a machine and needs to be run by a dedicated person, with the user only providing the sample? Does anyone have experience from a similar situation?
I think it would be very possible. Basic use of the SPIM system -- setting up acquisitions and time-lapses -- isn't particularly complicated. As long as the system stays aligned (which seems to be a fairly long time) the operator needn't know much about the SPIM's optics to use it. (There *is* some value to it, though -- in my experience, for example, adjusting the corner mirror after inserting a new sample can sometimes improve the images the system records.) Occasionally checking the alignment with a mirror slide or similar is strongly recommended, of course, and having at least one person who is knowledgeable about the 'dirty details' to help in case of malfunction would be a good idea.

On 05/14/14, Maria wrote:
> Second question: openSPIM is assembled on an optical breadboard, but all other self-built microscopes I have seen were on optical tables. Is an optical table necessary for openSPIM?

A full table is not, in general, necessary. It might be desirable, for instance if the table is self-leveling, but as long as the breadboard is fairly flat the system should be able to operate normally. (As a point of interest, I also don't see why the system couldn't be assembled directly on a table; this might allow for a very flexible system. I don't think anyone has tried this yet.)


Hope this helps!
Luke Stuyvenberg


On 05/14/14, Maria  wrote:
> Dear all,
> 
> I'm working in a microscopy core facility and we are thinking about building a SPIM. Do you think it is possible to run SPIM in this environment - I mean to train users to use the microscope on their own with occasional support? Or is too complicated a machine and needs to be run by a dedicated person, with the user only providing the sample? Does anyone have experience from a similar situation?
> 
> Second question: openSPIM is assembled on an optical breadboard, but all other self-built microscopes I have seen were on optical tables. Is an optical table necessary for openSPIM?
> 
> Thank you very much and best regards,
> Maria
> 
> -- 
> Maria Hanulova
> ------------------------------------
> Core Facility Microscopy
> Institute of Molecular Biology gGmbH (IMB)
> Ackermannweg 4
> 55128 Mainz
> Germany
> Phone: +49-6131-39-21507
> Email: m.hanulova at imb-mainz.de
> www.imb-mainz.de/core-facilities/microscopy/
> 
> 
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