- FILM-Users - imperial.ac.uk

[FILM-Users 01144] SAF analysis PC repair
by Gaboriau, David C A 01 Mar '24

01 Mar '24

Dear users, The SAF analysis PC has been repaired, with FIJI, Icy and Zen loaded. Please book for free on PPMS, as usual. Have a great weekend and all the best, David ---------------------------------------------------- David Gaboriau, PhD (Cantab), FRMS Microscopy Specialist Sir Alexander Fleming Building South Kensington Campus Imperial College London Exhibition Road London, SW7 2AZ SAF 4th floor, open space desk 408 +44 (0)20 7594 9793 d.gaboriau(a)imperial.ac.uk https://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/d.gaboriau http://www.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/facility-for-imaging-by-light-microscopy/ https://www.imperial.ac.uk/Stories/light-fantastic/ ----------------------------------------------------

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[FILM-Users 01143] Update on HWF1 and Scope Relocation
by Nechyporuk-Zloy, Volodymyr 26 Feb '24

26 Feb '24

Dear Colleagues, I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to inform you that the HWF1 is currently not operational. Additionally, the planned relocation of the microscope to a new room was not successful due to technical reasons. We are working diligently to resolve these issues and will keep you updated on the progress. We appreciate your patience and understanding in this matter. Best regards, Volodymyr

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[FILM-Users 01142] BioImage Analysis course at King's College London
by Gaboriau, David C A 22 Feb '24

22 Feb '24

Dear users, Colleagues from the Royal Microscopical Society group Data Analysis in Imaging (RMS-DAIM) are organising a bioimage analysis course at King's College in April, please see details below to apply if you are interested. https://rms-daim.github.io/introduction-to-image-analysis/ All the best, David ---------------------------------------------------- David Gaboriau, PhD (Cantab), FRMS Microscopy Specialist Sir Alexander Fleming Building South Kensington Campus Imperial College London Exhibition Road London, SW7 2AZ SAF 4th floor, open space desk 408 +44 (0)20 7594 9793 d.gaboriau(a)imperial.ac.uk https://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/d.gaboriau http://www.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/facility-for-imaging-by-light-microscopy/ https://www.imperial.ac.uk/Stories/light-fantastic/ ----------------------------------------------------

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[FILM-Users 01141] Temporarily Reduced FILM Service While We Work to Rebuild Capacity
by Nechyporuk-Zloy, Volodymyr 19 Feb '24

19 Feb '24

Dear FILM Users, We hope this message finds you well. Due to recent staff shortages and an increase in service demands, we are unfortunately required to offer reduced support temporarily as we work on rebuilding our capacity in terms of both staffing and hardware. This message is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the current challenges we face and outline our strategies for addressing these issues to enhance our service in support of our evolving community. **Current FILM Achievements and Challenges:** The FILM team extends our deepest gratitude for your continued support and engagement with our imaging and microscopy facility. Reflecting on 2023, we are proud to have supported 429 users across 156 groups, marking a significant increase in the utilization of FILM scopes. These achievements highlight the importance and impact of our collective efforts. However, alongside these successes, we have encountered several challenges. According to the internationally recognized manual "Advanced Light Microscopy Core Facilities: Balancing Service, Science, and Career<http://edoc.mdc-berlin.de/15636/1/15636oa.pdf>," authored by 15 leading scientific institutions, the optimal user-to-imaging specialist staff ratio is 50:1. Over the past few years, and particularly in 2023, our ratio has significantly exceeded this benchmark (detailed figures and tables are provided at the end of this message), with only myself and David managing the FILM operations for extended periods (4-5 months). The strain is further compounded by our instrument-to-imaging specialist ratio. Not only do we manage a considerable number of instruments, but many of them are outdated and require additional maintenance and attention. Moreover, we are eager to expand FILM to accommodate new user communities at South Kensington and Hammersmith. This expansion necessitates careful planning and additional time to implement effectively. **What is Changing:** In striving to maintain 'business as usual' at FILM, the cumulative impact of these challenges has significantly affected our wellbeing and health. Consequently, we must adjust our operations in the coming weeks to recover our health. This adjustment is crucial for ensuring the continued provision of high-quality support and the long-term integrity of our facility, even if it means a temporary reduction in the pace of our services. Specifically, we anticipate delays in imaging system training and image analysis support. Additionally, we may need to work remotely for 1-2 days per week to address administrative tasks that are typically postponed due to onsite obligations. **What You Can Do:** We understand that these changes may impact your planned activities, and we are committed to minimizing any inconvenience through clear and open communication. We value your understanding and cooperation as we navigate these challenges together. Our commitment to supporting your research endeavors remains strong, and we believe that with mutual support and understanding, we can continue to achieve outstanding results together. We encourage experienced users within groups to collaborate, allowing more efficient use of booking times and training for less experienced users. If you encounter urgent needs, please contact us so we can explore potential solutions together. **When Will Things Improve?** We are pleased to announce the addition of Madeline<https://www.linkedin.com/in/madeline-tisi-a1b943152/>, our new microscopy specialist, on March 18, 2024, and we anticipate recruiting a multiplex microscopy<https://www.leica-microsystems.com/products/light-microscopes/p/cell-dive/> apprentice later this year. Their integration into our team, along with the decommissioning of some of our oldest equipment, will alleviate the current pressures and enable FILM staff to operate at the standard we all value and take pride in, even though with a reduced availability of microscopes. While the road to recovery may be gradual, it is a necessary path to ensure a stable and confident return to normal operations without facing even greater challenges. We thank you again for your dedication to our service. For any questions or further clarification, please feel free to reach out. Warm regards, FILM Team --- FILM is a very strong outlier in the proportion of staff/users ratio: [Image] FILM staff and users numbers since 2020: Year Staff Users Groups % Over Norm 2023 3 429 156 286% 2022 3.4 426 168 250% 2021 3 383 149 255% 2020 3 321 129 214%

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[FILM-Users 01140] Invitation to Mesolens Imaging Technology Seminar on February 12
by Nechyporuk-Zloy, Volodymyr 09 Feb '24

09 Feb '24

Dear FILM Community, We are pleased to announce a seminar titled "Overview of the Mesolens Imaging Technology," presented by Professor Gail McConnell<https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/persons/gail-mcconnell>. This event will take place on February 12, 2024, at 4 p.m., in the Bessemer 402 and 403 meeting rooms (please note, this is not at RSM). We invite all members to join us for this informative session. The seminar will be hosted by Dr. Christopher J Rowlands<https://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/c.rowlands>. Abstract: Since the invention of the microscope, optics have been optimized to match the performance of the human eye. However, since the advent of sensitive and advanced photodetectors the human eye is no longer a limitation. This has created exciting possibilities for new instrumentation in biomedical imaging. We have developed an objective we call the Mesolens that can study large unusually large objects with sub-cellular resolution. The pupil size of the lens is so great that it cannot be used with a conventional microscope frame, so we have built the imaging system around the giant lens. Like the original optical microscope, we have found that the Mesolens has a wide range of applications in biomedical research. I will present an overview of the Mesolens imaging technology, and I will show how we are using it to reveal new information from large biological and clinical specimens. Speaker Biography: Gail McConnell is Professor of Biophotonics at the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK. Following a first degree in Laser Physics and Optoelectronics (1998) and PhD in Physics from the University of Strathclyde (2002), she obtained a Personal Research Fellowship from the Royal Society of Edinburgh (2003) and a Research Councils UK Academic Fellowship (2005), securing a readership in 2008 and professorship in 2012. The work in Gail’s multidisciplinary research group involves the design, development and application of linear and nonlinear optical instrumentation and new methods for biomedical imaging, from the nanoscale to the whole organism. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a Fellow of the Institute of Physics, and a Fellow of the Royal Microscopical Society, where she is the current Vice Chair of the Light Microscopy Committee. Best regards, Volodymyr

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[FILM-Users 01139] CRI Section Research Club Seminar | Dr Laki Pantazis | Wed 14th Feb
by Moss, Georgina 06 Feb '24

06 Feb '24

Good afternoon all, As part of the CRI Section Research Club Seminar Series, Dr Laki Pantazis is presenting on Wednesday 14th February in SAF 122 from 12:00-13:00. Please see the link below to the events listing page for information about Dr Pantazis's career and research to date. CRI Research Club Seminar | Dr Periklis Pantazis | 'Primed conversion and GenEPi: Chemical and mechanical interrogation of biological systems.' | Events | Imperial College London<https://www.imperial.ac.uk/events/172635/cri-research-club-seminar-dr-perik…> Please join us in SAF 122 or via the Teams link provided on the events listing page. There will be some sandwiches and refreshments provided after the seminar. Best wishes Georgie Georgina Moss | Research Group Assistant National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) Imperial College London Level 3, Sir Alexander Fleming Building Exhibition Road London SW7 2AZ Tel: 020 7594 2151 [NHLI banner]

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[FILM-Users 01138] FILM: Depreciation of Multi-Photon Microscopes CF3 and CF4
by Nechyporuk-Zloy, Volodymyr 23 Jan '24

23 Jan '24

Dear Colleagues, I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to share important information regarding our imaging infrastructure, specifically concerning our multi-photon microscopes CF3<https://www.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/facility-for-imaging-by-light-microscop…> and CF4<https://www.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/facility-for-imaging-by-light-microscop…>. Due to their significant age (approximately 17-18 years) and the challenges in obtaining spare parts and appropriate service support, we have reached a decision to depreciate these microscopes in the near future. We anticipate this occurring around June-July, although the exact timeline depends on the availability of the Leica Team. Currently, the Facility for Imaging by Light Microscopy (FILM) does not possess any operational microscopes capable of performing multi-photon imaging, other than the CF3 and CF4. Recognizing the critical role these instruments play in our research, we are actively seeking solutions to mitigate the impact of this transition. Efforts are underway to secure multi-user grants dedicated to acquiring new multi-photon imaging systems. Should these efforts prove successful, the new equipment will be housed in the ICTEM building. To effectively plan for this transition, we kindly request that you assess your multi-photon imaging needs post-June-July. Please provide us with an estimate of the number of hours you will require, and indicate if these needs are mission-critical to your research endeavors. Your understanding and cooperation in this matter are greatly appreciated. We are committed to keeping you informed throughout this process. Best regards, Volodymyr

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[FILM-Users 01137] Update on FILM Operations and Staff Availability
by Nechyporuk-Zloy, Volodymyr 22 Jan '24

22 Jan '24

Dear Colleagues, I hope this message finds you well and that you are finding your work with FILM both rewarding and enjoyable. I would like to provide you with an update regarding our current staffing situation. At present, I am the only one actively working in our team, as David and Ana are temporarily unavailable. We anticipate their return soon, which will undoubtedly bolster our collective efforts. Over the past seven months, I have been dedicating 50-60+ hours per week, without taking my annual leave, to ensure the smooth operation and ongoing development of FILM. This extended effort, in the face of a 50% staff shortage, has been instrumental in maintaining our momentum. As a result of this commitment, I have accumulated 25 days of unused annual leave from 2023. I am pleased to share that in 2023, FILM achieved its best financial results in history, showcasing an impressive annual growth of 10.9%. This achievement is a testament to our collective efforts, and I am proud to report that we now serve 450 users across 132 groups. For any urgent inquiries or assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly. Additionally, you can use our dedicated email address, film-service(a)imperial.ac.uk, for any service-related issues or questions. This is the most efficient way for me to manage and respond to your needs, given the current workload. Please note that only direct emails to me will be considered for prioritization in my tightly scheduled workflow - your understanding and cooperation in using these communication channels are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your continuous support and dedication to FILM. Together, we will continue to drive success and innovation in our field. Best regards, Volodymyr

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[FILM-Users 01136] Image Analysis - live event on image.sc forum
by Gaboriau, David C A 10 Jan '24

10 Jan '24

Dear users, As part of the RMS Data Analysis in Imaging (DAIM) group, we are organising a "Image.sc live around the world" event on Thursday 18th (1-5pm GMT for Europe) The idea is to get researchers to post image analysis questions in advance on the forum, then a group of image analysts will be available online on Gathertown to answer your questions. The answers will be posted on the forum to benefit all users. So, if you have any image analysis questions, please create an account on image.sc, and post your question and upload example images on this thread below: https://forum.image.sc/t/question-for-the-upcoming-imagesc-live/89920/2 On Thursday 18th, 1-5pm, go to the Image.sc island on Gathertown (create account beforehand), where a group of analysts will meet you. https://app.gather.town/app/nq1oQrNJ1UIQ5t01/imagesc-island [https://app.gather.town/images/site/site_preview.png]<https://app.gather.town/app/nq1oQrNJ1UIQ5t01/imagesc-island> Gather<https://app.gather.town/app/nq1oQrNJ1UIQ5t01/imagesc-island> Gather is a video-calling space that lets multiple people hold separate conversations in parallel, walking in and out of those conversations just as easily as they would in real life. app.gather.town We hope this is useful to you, and look forward to see you there! All the best, David On behalf of the organising committee: Dale Moulding (UCL), Dave Barry (Crick), Martin Jones (Crick), Rocco D'Antuonno (Crick), Stefania Marcotti (KCL), Maddy Parsons (KCL), Georgina Fletcher (RMS) ---------------------------------------------------- David Gaboriau, PhD (Cantab), FRMS Microscopy Specialist Sir Alexander Fleming Building South Kensington Campus Imperial College London Exhibition Road London, SW7 2AZ SAF 4th floor, open space desk 408 +44 (0)20 7594 9793 d.gaboriau(a)imperial.ac.uk https://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/d.gaboriau http://www.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/facility-for-imaging-by-light-microscopy/ https://www.imperial.ac.uk/Stories/light-fantastic/ ----------------------------------------------------

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[FILM-Users 01135] FILM Christmas closure
by Gaboriau, David C A 22 Dec '23

22 Dec '23

Dear users, FILM will be closing tonight for the end of the year, and we will reopen on Tuesday 2nd January next year. If you use microscopes during the break, please make sure you shut down the microscope and computer at the end of your session, even if someone is booked after you on PPMS. We wish you a wonderful Christmas and a healthy and restful break, and all the very best for the New Year! Looking forward to lots of imaging with you in 2024! All the best, David ---------------------------------------------------- David Gaboriau, PhD, FRMS Microscopy Specialist Sir Alexander Fleming Building South Kensington Campus Imperial College London Exhibition Road London, SW7 2AZ SAF 4th floor, open space desk 408 +44 (0)20 7594 9793 d.gaboriau(a)imperial.ac.uk https://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/d.gaboriau http://www.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/facility-for-imaging-by-light-microscopy/ ----------------------------------------------------

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