BIOC 036 - Intravital Microscopy for Biomedical Research

Course Description

If you do not currently hold an NIH-issued badge, we ask that you email us at registrar@faes.org as soon as you register so we can start the visitor process. Once you confirm that you do not hold a current NIH badge you will receive a secure link from the VisitNIH system which will prompt you to input your information; further steps may be necessary if you are a non-U.S. person visitor. We also ask that you review the NIH Visitor Information page, so you are prepared for your visit to the NIH Bethesda Campus. Please note this process may take up to 45 days.

This is an in-person laboratory training workshop taking place at the National Institutes of Health, Main Campus on October 20, 2025 through October 22, 2025 in the FAES Learning Labs.

Overview
In biomedical research, in vivo studies are a necessary step between cell and tissue culture experiments and subsequent clinical studies. This course will equip students with the background knowledge in fluorescent microscopy and principles of intravital microscopy (IVM). They will be introduced to the basics of confocal and multiphoton microscopy followed by step-by-step protocol for imaging animal models of human diseases developed in NIAID. This will allow them to acquire both background knowledge and practical skills in operating confocal and multiphoton microscopes in order to perform essential intravital imaging in their own laboratory or at core facility.

Workshop Objectives:

Acquire essential understanding of fluorescent and multiphoton microscopy from it is early development to advanced applications
Learn two major approaches to image animal models: in vivo (whole organism) and ex vivo (in organ and tissue culture)
Understand confocal and multiphoton approaches to be able to choose imaging technology optimal for specific research question
Gain practical skills in operating confocal and multiphoton microscopes and imaging live tissue sections
Learn principles of animal anesthesia, aseptic techniques, non-survival surgery and non-invasive imaging for IVM
Process and analyze dynamic imaging data: cell migration, cell-cell interactions, cell recruitment, swarming

Learner Outcomes

When you complete the workshop successfully, you will:

Learn fundamentals of fluorescent microscopy.
Gain experience in operating a confocal microscope.
Acquire basic skills in making and imaging live tissue sections.
Understand principles of intravital microscopy: imaging live animals in real time in vivo.
Be able to design your own animal imaging experiment.
Be prepared to choose between intravital and live-tissue microscopy to answer your specific research question.
Make optimal decision on what technology to recruit for animal imaging study: confocal or multiphoton.

Prerequisites

Bachelor's degree in Biological or Medical Science required.
Basic knowledge in biomedical sciences, physics and optics is advantageous for efficient participation in the course.

Software/Equipment Requirements
Instructor demonstration

Target Audience
Biology students, postdoctoral trainees, research fellows and staff members interested to learn intravital microscopy

Refund Policy
Follow the link to review Workshop Refund Policy.

Notification

All cancellations must be received in writing via email to registrar@faes.org.
Cancellations received after 4:00 pm (ET) on business days or received on non-business days are time marked for the following business day.
All refund payments will be processed by the start of the initial workshop.