If you want to use optical microscopes and understand the principles behind their operation for generating/processing optical images with different samples (biological and beyond), then this course is for you!

The course combines theory with hands-on laboratory experience to introduce most commonly used optical microscopy techniques in biomedical research including bright-field, dark-field, phase-contrast, DIC, polarization, and various modern fluorescence microscopy methods such as FRET, TIRF, FRAP, FLIM. In addition, the course introduces several advanced fluorescence imaging techniques such as confocal, multi-photon, and super-resolution microscopy e.g. STED, PALM, STORM.The experimental part takes place at EPFL's state-of-the-art Bioimaging and Optics Core Facility and provides unique opportunity to the students to access optical microscopes and teaches practical aspects with optical alignment, sample handling, data acquisition, image analysis.

Modern optical microscopes, hands-on laboratory experience, optical alignments, contrast-enhancing imaging techniques, fluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy, high quality optical images.

Fundamentals of Microscopy, Selected topics in advanced optics (MT), modern optics (PHY) or General physics III/IV.

Basic knowledge in optics, wide field microscopy and fluorescence

• Choose an appropriate imaging method for investigating the biological sample of interest.
• Estimate the performance and limitations of optical microscopes.
• Sketch the essential elements of optical microscopes.
• Operate wide field and confocal microscopes.
• Assess / Evaluate the operation principles of commonly used microscopy methods
• Choose
• Choose an appropriate imaging method for investigating the biological sample of interest.

• Use a work methodology appropriate to the task.
• Continue to work through difficulties or initial failure to find optimal solutions.
• Communicate effectively with professionals from other disciplines.

Lecturing with exercises (50%) and practice in EPFL's BIOP microscopy facility (50%).

Following the lecturing and solving the exercises regularly is necessary for mastering the course contents. The solutions of the exercises are distributed at the next lecture. The student is invited to find his/her own solutions and to discuss them with the assistants. An active participation in the laboratory leads to the mastering of different microscopes.

100% End-term exam, individual written exam

Fundamentals of Light Microscopy and Electronic Imaging: Douglas B. Murphy, Michael W. Davidson (2012, 2nd edition)

• Find the references at the Libraryhttps://slsp-epfl.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=course_code,contains,%22MICRO-562%202025-2026%22&tab=41SLSP_EPF_MyInst_and_CI&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&vid=41SLSP_EPF:prod

The course slides and exrcises are uploaded on Moodle

• https://go.epfl.ch/MICRO-562https://go.epfl.ch/MICRO-562