A few weeks ago I went to the University of California, Irvine to attend a workshop in Advanced Fluorescence Imaging and Dynamics, organized by the Laboratory for Fluorescence Dynamics. The workshop consisted of lectures, computer training and laboratory training. The topics that were covered included Fluctuation Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS), Image Correlation Spectroscopy (ICS), Photon Counting Histogram (PCH), Number & Brightness (N&B), Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLIM) and Single Particle Tracking (SPT).
The lectures were given by the head of the LFD Enrico Gratton and other members of the LFD. The lectures were very informative. They really explained the mathematical background of the techniques but also applications and instrument requirements were discussed. Members from other labs were invited to speak about their applications of the techniques. Besides lectures on these technique there were very interesting “special lectures” on the history of fluorescence by David Jameson and on Real Time DNA sequencing by John Eid.
In the afternoons we did computer training in which the software “simFCS” that was developed by Enrico Gratton was used for simulations of fluorescence measurements. The last two days of the workshop laboratorial training was given. In small groups we performed experiments on the microscopes of the LFD. The second week of my stay I performed some RICS and N&B experiments on my own cells. This was very useful for gaining experience with the techniques. All LFD staff was very useful to help me with my experiments and the analysis of my data.
I really enjoyed my stay at the LFD. I expanded my knowledge on fluorescence microscopy techniques. Also I gained experience with the simFCS software, which is very useful when performing these experiments back home. The atmosphere of the workshop was great, it was very nice to meet other young people working in the biophysics field. The workshop was very well organized, with a good ratio between lectures and practical parts. Also there were three very good meals provided every day and I had a great time during the evenings with the other attendents of the workshop. I would advise everybody who wants use these techniques to go there. I would like to thank the vvb-bmt for providing financial support to give me the opportunity to attend the LFD workshop.
More information about the workshop can be found at the website of the LFD: http://www.lfd.uci.edu/
If anyone has questions about the workshop, feel free to contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.