Chapter 14 Running and setting up a confocal microscope core facility

Abstract

Confocal shared resource facilities are not only useful, but the way to go! With the equipment and its maintenance costing more and more each year, and the technology growing and expanding all the time, it is difficult, if not impossible, for individual researchers to keep pace. However, core facilities can offer the latest equipment and services for the newest techniques only when they are maintained properly and supported by researchers. Policies for the encouragement of core facilities are important considerations in the budgets of university departments. Researchers should be offered incentives to use core facilities rather than purchase their own instruments, equipment which often is neglected within just a couple of years. Core facility managers are trained and skilled operators of these highly technical pieces of equipment and are prepared to keep your facilities in the best possible condition--for the best possible results.