MUSC workshop uncovers lens to state-of-the-art equipment to train researchers

The 9th Charleston Workshop on Light Microscopy for the Biosciences gave students from around the country and the world an opportunity to use state of the art equipment and interact with leading scientists in the field. From June 1-6, 2025, MUSC researchers John Lemasters and Li Li hosted a group of doctoral level scientists, pre-doctoral students, and high-level technical personnel.

Students got access to state-of-the-art equipment for optical imaging, digital image processing and deconvolution, fluorescence microscopy, confocal/multiphoton microscopy, light-sheet and super-resolution microscopy and are guided by experienced academic and commercial faculty. Commercial faculty representing leading microscope manufacturers gave students opportunities to use the latest and most advanced instrumentation for light microscopy, image detection, and computerized image analysis.

MUSC's access to expensive microscopy equipment gives scientists and students a tool to push their own research farther -- the workshop teaches them what is possible and how to do it.

At the 9th Charleston Workshop on Light Microscopy for the Biosciences, lectures included:

• Imaging and Illumination Light Paths in the Microscope
• Image Formation, Phase Contrast, Polarization and DIC
• Principles of Fluorescence Microscopy
• Filters for Fluorescence Microscopy
• Engineering Fluorescence for Imaging in Cell Biology
• Digital Cameras, Butch Granada, Hamamatsu
• Introduction to Confocal/Multiphoton Microscopy
• Optimizing Confocal Performance

Interspersed throughout the week were hands-on labs relating to the lectures, including labs on:

• Wide-Field Microscopy
• Fluorescence Microscopy
• Confocal Microscopy
• Multiphoton Microscopy
• Super-Resolution and Light Sheet Microscopy