Tech-Method Course:
Light microscopy
Date
25-26-27 February 2026
Organizer
Simona Rodighiero (IEO) Dario Parazzoli (IFOM)
Location
IEO Campus, Via Adamello 16 - Milan
About the Course
The course offers a comprehensive introduction to light microscopy, guiding participants through optical principles, digital imaging, sample preparation, and the use of wide-field, confocal, and live-cell imaging. It also illustrates how these techniques apply to tissues and large 3D samples. Participants learn to visualize cells, tissues, and organoids, explore the tumour microenvironment, and use imaging approaches to investigate cancer biology.
Total number of credits: 4 credits
Widefield Microscopy and Sample Preparation
Lessons location: Meeting Room 1-2, bld. 9
9:00-12:30
– Theoretical introduction: image formation and contrast methods
Dario Parazzoli
– Microscope structure (light paths) and sampling, with practical demonstration
Serena Magni & Zeno Lavagnino
12:30-14:00
Lunch Break
Lesson location: Gold+Coral Room, bld. 13
14:00-16:00
– Preparation of fixed samples
Mattia Pavani
Confocal Microscopy
Lessons Location: Ivory+Silver Room, bld. 13
9:00-12:30
– Tissue imaging
Francesco Tucci
– Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy and spinning disk
Simona Rodighiero
12:30 – 14:00
Lunch Break
14:00 – 16:00
– Two-Photon Excitation Microscopy
Dario Parazzoli & Zeno Lavagnino
– Resolution and sampling
Zeno Lavagnino
Live Cell Imaging
Lessons Location: Meeting Room 1-2, bld. 9
9:00 – 13:00
– Live cell imaging: sample preparation
Sara Barozzi
– Optimization of live cell imaging settings
Ambra Dondi
– Recap with examples and final discussion
All instructors