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Microscopy Unit

The Core Facility Microscopy (CFM) is part of the Core Facility Preclinical Research (CFP) at the Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Mannheim. We support microscopy-based research projects at CIMH and collaborating public research institutions by providing access to state-of-the-art light microscopy systems, hands-on training, and expert guidance —from experimental planning to quantitative image analysis.

Microscopy for biomedical research

Modern fluorescence microscopy enables the quantitative investigation of biological processes across scales—from cells and synapses to tissues and whole-slide specimens. At CFM, we focus on robust, reproducible imaging workflows, helping researchers to select appropriate imaging modalities (e.g., widefield screening vs. confocal 3D imaging), optimize fluorophore and staining strategies, and generate data suitable for publication-quality figures and quantitative analysis.

Microscopy at CIMH: What we provide

CFM offers an integrated microscopy platform, including high-throughput slide scanning, confocal laser-scanning microscopy for high-resolution 2D/3D imaging, and stereomicroscopy for screening and dissection workflows. The facility supports projects across basic and translational research, with an emphasis on reliable instrumentation, standardized procedures, and user training.

Services

  • Access to advanced light microscopy systems (see Equipment).
  • User onboarding: instrument introduction, training, and—depending on capacity—assisted imaging sessions.
  • Consultation on experimental design, fluorophore/staining strategies, microscope suitability, and parameter optimization.
  • Support with image processing, analysis, and quality assurance (e.g., LAS X, OlyVIA, Fiji/ImageJ; Imaris on the analysis workstation).
  • Scheduling, resource planning, system care, calibration, and maintenance coordination.

Access, Registration, and Booking

Eligibility

CFM is available to CIMH researchers and users from collaborating public research institutions (e.g., Heidelberg University, Heidelberg University Hospital, Mannheim University Medical Center (UMM), DKFZ), subject to registration and instrument training.

Registration

To register, users provide:

  1. Registration Form (personal + project details, cost center/billing address) *
  2. Confirmation by the responsible PI; *
  3. For third-party funded projects with approved microscopy costs: relevant cost centers / grant identifiers 

(*for internal CIMH users, this is currently not yet required).

Booking

Instrument time is booked via the CFP booking system (access after registration and training). Soon, we will switch to our new booking system, ResMan (developed by Dr. Markus Sack, RG Translational Imaging).

Booking rules (e.g., slot structure, weekly limits, cancellations) apply, as defined in the CFM User Regulations.

Safety and Training

  • First-time use of any instrument requires a documented introduction/training.
  • All users must complete the general safety/SOP instruction (including S1 instruction at CIMH) and renew it annually (as applicable).
  • Laser safety training may be required depending on instrument classification; protective equipment (e.g., laser safety goggles) must be used as instructed.
  • Samples with special risks (biohazards, CMR substances, etc.) may only be brought into the facility after risk assessment and written approval.

Data Management

Users are responsible for safeguarding their data. Data storage on microscope PCs is temporary. We strongly recommend timely transfer to institutional, secure storage solutions. Due to limited local storage capacity, older data may be deleted.

Fees and Billing

Instrument usage is billed according to the facility’s (see Price List).

Billing is performed monthly or quarterly against the registered group’s cost center / billing address. External and industry partners may require separate usage and cost agreements.

Acknowledging CFM in Publications

As CFM equipment is partly funded by third-party grants, users are requested to acknowledge the facility in publications. If CFM staff made a substantial scientific contribution, co-authorship should be considered.

Important: In publications for which confocal measurements performed on the DFG Major Research Instrumentation Grant–funded Leica STELLARIS 5 confocal microscope were acquired, this funding must be stated in the acknowledgments, including the DFG project number 533293533. A PDF of the publication must be sent to the CFM management.

Suggested acknowledgement text for Leica STELLARIS 5 use:

“Imaging was performed at the Core Facility Microscopy, Core Facility Preclinical Research (CFP), Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), using a Leica STELLARIS 5 confocal microscope, funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) – project number 533293533. We thank the CFP team, in particular [Name], for support with fluorescence imaging, [data analysis], [image processing].”

Downloads / Links

Example microscopy images

Photo: CIMH
Photo: CIMH

Scientific Head / Application Specialist

Dr. rer. nat. Quirin Krabichler
E-mail: quirin.krabichler(at)zi-mannheim.de
Phone: +49 621 1703 6118
 


Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit (ZI) - https://www.zi-mannheim.de