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Micron Access
Micron is open to internal and external academic researchers, as well as industry users.
Access
Micron staff bring extensive expertise across a broad spectrum of imaging techniques, ranging from confocal and widefield microscopy to advanced super-resolution methods including SIM, SMLM, and STED. The facility comprises two dedicated Category II imaging suites, fully equipped cell culture and wet laboratory facilities, and a dedicated image analysis suite.
We have experience imaging a wide variety of sample types, including mammalian cells and tissues, yeast, fungi, bacteria, plants, protists, organoids, tissue scaffolds, extracellular vesicles, artificial bilayers, and biologically coated transistors.
Access to Micron can be arranged either as independent use following training or as a full-service option, with Micron staff acquiring data on your behalf.
For independent use (the most common route), Micron provides comprehensive training on the selected equipment. Following training, staff remain available for advice, troubleshooting, and experimental guidance. A dedicated imaging assistance pathway is also available for users who require additional support beyond initial training.
If time is limited, Micron staff can image your samples and provide fully processed datasets. This option can be particularly efficient for one-off experiments or for users who do not require regular access to the microscopes.
Image credit: Dr Nick Gatford, Department of Chemistry
Internal academic access
Internal academic access
Internal academic access
As a member of the Department of Biochemistry, you can submit your request directly through PPMS. A user account on PPMS is required, and you must also submit a training request. Once your training request has been received, we will contact you to arrange a time to discuss your project.
External academic access
Internal academic access
Internal academic access
External users are required to complete the FastTrack SRF (Small Research Facility) visitor process to access the department’s SRFs. Please contact Micron to initiate the process.
Industry access
What are the charges?
What are the charges?
Micron also offers expert consultancy and access to equipment for industry users, which can be arranged through Oxford University Innovation (OUI).
What are the charges?
What are the charges?
What are the charges?
The microscope systems are charged on an hourly flat rate. The flat rate covers access to all microscopes and aims to ensure the facility is financially sustainable. Please contact the facility for more details on our rates.
Fees
Our rates are available upon request by contacting Micron directly. Fees are set on a cost-recovery basis to ensure the sustainable operation of the facility.
Access charges contribute to the costs directly associated with operating these complex instruments, including maintenance, instrument time, software licences, consumables, staff, and space-related expenses. Rates do not include capital replacement or depreciation costs.
Micron usage is charged monthly by our finance team, based on the number of hours booked and used on the equipment.
External users may request a tailored quote for specific experiments, short-term access, or to support a research visit to Micron.
The terms and conditions for access to Micron are available on PPMS.
Microscopy consumables at Micron
Micron costings for grant applications
Micron costings for grant applications
A range of microscopy consumables can be ordered directly from Micron via PPMS. To help avoid the need for bulk purchasing, items are available in smaller quantities to suit your experimental needs. These include Marienfeld No. 1.5H cover glass, which is essential for high-resolution imaging applications.
Micron costings for grant applications
Micron costings for grant applications
Micron costings for grant applications
Micron provides grant costing quotes to all PIs for inclusion in grant applications. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that all imaging-heavy projects be discussed in advance with Micron to ensure the programme of work is accurately costed.
FAQs
We are always happy to advise users on which system is most suitable for their experiments. We can also help you with setting up the instrument so you can achieve the highest quality data.
As a Micron user you will be assigned storage space on one of our backed-up servers. We also recommend using the image management software OMERO.
OMERO is an open-source, free to use software for cataloguing, organising, sharing and analysing imaging datasets. It is able to handle most image file formats and includes in-browser software for creating figures from your images.