Course Introduction to Fluorescence Microscopy

The course C267/09 Introduction to Fluorescence Microscopy is being offered by the Graduate School of Health, Aarhus University, 2026.

Criteria for participation: University degree in medicine, dentistry, nursing, or Master’s degree in other fields and/or postgraduate research fellows (PhD students and research-year medical students).

Requirements for participation:
None

Aim: 
The course aims to provide participants with a solid foundation in fluorescence microscopy, focusing on basic techniques, sample preparation, image acquisition, and image analysis. The course combines theoretical instruction with practical experience in preparing biological samples, enabling students to understand and apply core concepts relevant to fluorescence imaging in biomedical research.

Learning outcomes: 

• Explain the fundamental principles of key fluorescence microscopy techniques.
• Perform hands-on preparation of cell and tissue samples suitable for fluorescence microscopy.
• Understand how to choose appropriate microscope settings for specific imaging needs.
• Interpret the main parameters involved in image acquisition and their impact on data quality.
• Apply basic image analysis workflows and prepare figures for presentation or publication.

Workload: The full workload of the course is expected to be 39 hours

Content:

• Overview of fundamental microscopy techniques, including brightfield (white light) microscopy, wide-field fluorescence microscopy, and confocal microscopy, as well as key optical components such as objectives, filters, cameras, and photodetectors.
• Hands-on training in sample preparation of cultured cells and paraffin-embedded tissue sections for fluorescence microscopy.
• Hands-on introduction to image analysis using ImageJ/Fiji, including multichannel image handling, background correction, and basic fluorescence quantification.
• Live demonstration of image acquisition using an inverted, automated wide-field fluorescence microscope.
• Mandatory home assignment (approx. 6 hours): Students will design a complete imaging workflow, including experimental setup, choice of imaging parameters, and analysis strategy, integrating all key elements covered in the course.

Language:
English

Head of course:
Lene Niemann Nejsum

Instructors: 
Senior Researcher Frédéric H. Login, PhD students Lærke Marcussen, Benjmain Bach Green and Teresa Kirkegaard

Time and date:

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Note, on the 20-21/1, it will only be 2 h per student.

Venue:
Bartholin Læsesal and adjacent laboratories. Forum AUH.

Participation in the course is without cost for:

• PhD students, Health Research Year students from Aarhus University
• PhD students enrolled at partner universities of the Nordoc collaboration
• PhD students from other institutions in the open market agreement for PhD courses