Central Analytical Facilities Microscopy Unit

Facility description

The Microscopy Unit at Stellenbosch University is one of the units of the Central Analytical Facilities, focusing on fluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy. The unit consists of laboratories on both our main campus in Stellenbosch, but also the Tygerberg Medical Campus associated with the Tygerberg Hospital.

At Stellenbosch, we have an Zeiss LSM780 confocal with Elyra PS1 super-resolution microscopy, a Zeiss Merlin FE SEM, a Zeiss Evo SEM and several other support systems. The laboratories at the Tygerberg Medical Campus house a Zeiss AxioObserve fluorescence microscope for live-cell imaging and a Thermofisher Apreo Serial Block Face FESEM.

We make use of a range of imaging techniques including multicolour confocal microscopy, Live Cell Imaging, super-resolution microscopy, conventional SEM, Volumetric SEM, EDX and WDS. Several protocols for Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy are also in place and improved workflows are continuously being developed.

Facility location

Three sites:

1. Confocal Microscopy: Stellenbosch University, Room 2022, Mike de Vries Building, Merriman Avenue, STELLENBOSCH, 7600
2. Electron Microscopy: Stellenbosch University, Room 1034/5, Chamber of Mines Building, Cnr Ryneveld & Merriman Street, STELLENBOSCH, 7600
3. Fluorescence and electron microscopy: Tygerberg Medical Campus, BMRI Building, Room 2106, BELLVILLE, 7493

Facility website

Overview of the imaging facility along with the available instruments and services provided can be found at the following website.