Since 2009, the IGB created an Integrated Microscopy Facility (IGB-IM), located on the first floor of the Building 3 in the Research Area of Naples 1. The IGB-IM is divided in functional areas and supplied with different instruments for sectioning and specimen preparations and with different kind of microscopes (stereomicroscopes, upright and inverted automated microscopes for light/fluorescence microscopy, a confocal microscope and a transmission electron microscope). Moreover, workstations, image processing and analysis software are available. The staff is composed by one technologist and one specialised technician.

The aims of the IGB-IM facility are: providing a suitable management and use of high complexity equipment, providing technical and scientific support in sample preparation, giving a continuous guidance for all research groups in the design of experiments, in the development of new experimental protocols, in the choice of instruments, in the imaging and in the analysis of the data obtained. The IGB-IM offers a couple of techniques for morphological, ultrastructural and functional study of biological processes.

Therefore, the IGB-IM’s staff organized continuous training for beginners and experienced microscopy users and collaborated with other CNR Institutes, Universities, and companies (public or private). The theoretical-practical training courses for new users of the Facility were organised throughout the year (March-April and October-November) in order to allow optimal use of the instruments by reducing the costs of managing them. The staff organizes, in collaboration with various companies, courses for new instruments and techniques for preparation of biological samples.

The IGB-IM Facility collaborates in research projects with researchers from CNR, Universities and/or public and private companies.

IGB users can access the booking page using the following link: http://www.igb.cnr.it/index.php/services/