Course | Madison College Outline of Instruction

10636125Fluorescence and Related Microscopies

Course Information

Description

This course is an introduction to fluorescence, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) imaging, and biotechnology methods for biological systems. Topics include fluorescence theory, hardware, labeling, imaging and image processing. SEM labs involve physical and chemical processing, mounting, fluorescent labeling and imaging of plant and animal cells for imaging and analysis. Cell culturing techniques will also be included.

Total Credits

Course Competencies

Explain the various applications of fluorescence microscopy

Assessment Strategies

Oral presentation to class

Written exams

Criteria

oral presentation and written exams include the history of the evolution of fluoresence microscopy (FM)

oral presentation and written exams include the current status of FM

oral presentation and written exams include the future vision of FM

oral presentation and written exams include the discription of the fluorescence signal

oral presentation and written exams compare FM with Optical Light Microscopy (OLM)

oral presentation and written exams compare FM with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

oral presentation and written exams compare FM with Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)

oral presentation and written exams explain the limitations of FM
Correlate type of specimen, desired information and applicable fluorophores.

Assessment Strategies

Skill demonstration in the lab

Written exams

Criteria

you identify specimen status

you determine the type of desired information from specimen

you select correct fluorophore

you achieve passing score on tests

your written product and exam includes identifying specimen status

your written product and exams include scope of information that can be analyzed from the specimen

your written product and exams include a description of the various fluorophores available
Determine instrumentation parameters

Assessment Strategies

Skill demonstration in the lab

Written exams

Criteria

you determine the correct illumination source

you select the associated excitation filter

you select the associated barrier filter

you evaluate image data for best source

you compare various scan rates and image quality

you compare different detectors

you discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different detectors

your written product and exams include the correct illumination source

your written product and exams include selection of associated excitation filter

your written product and exams include selection of the associated barrier filter

your written product and exams include evaluation of image data for best source

your written product and exams include comparison of various scan rates and image quality

your written product and exams include a comparison of different detectors

your written product and exams include discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of different detectors
Collect images

Assessment Strategies

Skill demonstration in the lab

Through a written product

Written exams

Criteria

you acquire image with acceptable signal to noise ratio

you develop efficient microscope operation skills

you differentiate between multiple fluorophore signals

you recognize collection artifacts

you identify cell structures which correspond to fluorophores used

you critique image characteristics

you determine set of acceptable digital filters

you apply digital filters with correct radius and strength

your written product and exams include how to acquire image with acceptable signal to noise ratio

your written product and exams include determining efficient microscope operation skills

your written product and exams include differentiating between multiple fluorophore signals

your written product and exams include recognizing collection artifacts

your written product and exams include identifying cell structures which correspond to fluorophores used

your written product and exams include critiquing image characteristics

your written product and exams include determining set of acceptable digital filters

your written product and exams include applying digital filters with correct radius and strength
Perform lab procedures to biological specimens for SEM examination

Assessment Strategies

Skill demonstration in the lab

Through a written product

Written exams

Criteria

you prepare specimen using chemical processing

you prepare specimens using Critical Point Drying (CPD) methods

you prepare specimens using Freeze Drying (FD) methods

you mount specimens for Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) observation

you coat specimens using plasma magnetron techinques

you assess specimen preparation efficacy

your written product and exams include a description of chemical processing

your written product and exams include a description of Critical Point Drying (CPD) methods

your written product and exams include a description of Freeze Drying (FD) methods

your written product and exams include a description of mounting specimens for Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) observation

your written product and exams include a description of coating specimens using plasma magnetron techinques

your written product and exams include assessment of specimen preparation efficacy
Evaluate specimen preparation efficacy

Assessment Strategies

Skill demonstration in the lab

Through a written product

Written exams

Criteria

you select SEM microscope parameters for sample conditions

you operate SEM to obtain desired specimen data

you evaluate specimens' fine structure integrity

your written product and exams include parameters for the SEM microscope regarding sample conditions

your written product and exams include SEM operaton procedures in order to obtain desired specimen data

your written product and exams include evaluation of specimens' fine structure integrity
Produce cell cultures

Assessment Strategies

Skill demonstration in the lab

Through a written product

Written exams

Criteria

you apply aseptic techniques to obtain contamination-free cell cultures

you isolate cells

you use fermentation technology to cell cultures

you grow industrial microorganisms

you preserve industrial microorganisms

your written product and exams include descriptions of aseptic techniques to obtain contamination-free cell cultures

your written product and exams include procedures to isolate cells

your written product and exams include description of fermentation technology to cell cultures

your written product and exams include conditions needed to grow industrial microorganisms

your written product and exams include conditions needed to preserve industrial microorganisms
Examine cell cultures

Assessment Strategies

Skill demonstration in the lab

Through a written product

Written exams

Criteria

your media is sterile

your cultured cells remain viable

you clone cell cultures

you produce monoclonal antibody production

your written product and exams include sterile media preparation techniques

your written product and exams include how to maintain viable cultured cells

your written product and exams include how to clone cell cultures

your written product and exams include how to produce monoclonal antibody production