The Light Microscopy summer school is an annual, residential three day course held at the University of York covering the principles of light microscopy. Participants are also trained in practical issues surrounding light microscopy. After introductory presentations, the course is taught predominantly through hands-on practical sessions. The programme is available to view below.

The course is suitable for both novices and more experienced users wanting to gain a greater understanding of the microscope and feedback every year is always fantastic. Students came from a range of backgrounds in 2017, within both research and commercial organisations. All benefited greatly from the Course and left with increased understanding and skills.

The course is immediately followed by a two day hands-on Confocal Course - Getting the most from your Confocal 

Course Programme: Fluorescence Stream

Course Programme: Materials from Section Stream

Speakers

Scientific Organiser

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  Dr Peter O'Toole

  RMS Vice President

  University of York
  Peter heads the Imaging and Cytometry Labs within the Technology Facility at the University of York which includes an array of confocal microscopes, flow cytometers and electron microscopes. Peter gained his PhD in the Cell Biophysics Laboratory at the University of Essex and has been involved in many aspects of fluorescence imaging. Research is currently focused on both technology and method development of novel probes and imaging modalities. 

  Peter has ongoing collaborations with many leading microscopy and cytometry companies and his group also provides research support to many academics and commercial organisations. Peter is also heavily involved with teaching microscopy and flow cytometry which includes organising and teaching on both the RMS Light Microscopy Summer School and the RMS Practical Flow Cytometry courses.

Invited Speakers

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  Mr John Chapman

  Former Area Manager for Carl Zeiss Division of Light Microscopy  
  John's microscopical interest began at the age of nine, thanks to a small but usable microscope given by his grandfather.  By twenty-one he owned a substantial microscope outfit and was producing his own biological slides and rock sections, as well as taking photomicrographs.  Although having got a scholarship to study geology, life took another turn and he became a medical microbiologist at the local hospital.  There, he became the expert on mycology and parasitology, providing many teaching images for Leeds Medical School.
  
  Seventeen years later, he became the north of England manager for Carl Zeiss microscopes, and enjoyed being involved in all microscopical applications from eye surgery to top secret synthetic diamonds.  After twenty-five years he took early retirement and has since sought to provide microscopy teaching, consultation and imaging, hundreds of his photos having been published, including four front covers.  Other activities include wedding and portrait photography, landscape and natural history photography, and playing the classical organ for churches and concerts.
  
  A present project revolves around the making of focus-stacked, 3D images and the various means of viewing these.

• 

  Dr Peter Evennett HonFRMS

  Honorary Archivist

  University of Leeds (retired)
  Peter took his first degree in Zoology at the University of Liverpool, and his PhD at St Andrews, during which time his interests in microscopy developed. He lectured in Zoology at the University of Leeds for 30 years, with a particular interest in animal physiology and histology, cell biology and light and electron microscopy. He retired early from the University and since then has concentrated on his interests in microscopy, including teaching for the RMS and other organisations at home and abroad. He is particularly interested in finding simple ways of teaching and demonstrating the fundamental principles of the microscope to both professional and amateur microscopists. He has taken part in the RMS’s schools’ Outreach activities from the start, and assists in raising funds by recycling redundant equipment to amateur microscopists. Peter has been a member of the RMS for many years, and is an Honorary Fellow of the Society.

• 

  Dr Chris Guerin

  Institute of Biotechnology in Ghent Belgium
  Chris received his bachelor’s degree in Biology with departmental honors from the University of Massachusetts in Boston in 1980. From 1980 to 1985 he worked in Ophthalmology research at the Veterans Administration Hospital in San Francisco then moved to the University of California Santa Barbara where he was awarded a Ph.D. in physiology, cell biology and neuroscience in 1991. He did a post-doctoral fellowship in molecular biology at U.C.S.B. from 1991-1993 then moved to Michigan where he was a senior staff scientist in the Eye Care Services department at Henry Ford Hospital. In 1998 he took up a post as a non-clinical neuroscientist at the MRC toxicology Unit at the University of Leicester where he was put in charge of the microscopy services at the unit. From 2008 he has been a PI and group leader at the Vlaanderen (Flanders) Institute of Biotechnology in Ghent Belgium where he manages the Bio Imaging Core facility.

• 

  Mr Steve Metcalfe

  Microscopy 101 Ltd
  Steve has worked with optical microscopes for the past 30 years. His background in engineering, logical approach to problem solving and inquisitive nature make him an ideal partner for your microscopy questions.
  After a government (MoD) apprenticeship during which he qualified as an electronics engineer, Steve started ‘Sight Systems’, an imaging company providing innovative solutions for microscopy. Subsequently Steve was appointed as European Product Manager for Microscopy and Imaging products within Buehler, a materials sample preparation company.
  Recently Steve has specialised in materials microscopy within Carl Zeiss UK as manager of the Materials Microscopy Division. He has built up a wealth of knowledge about applications and optical techniques both in industry and academia.
  He now works for himself within a new company Microscopy101 Ltd.

Delegate Information

Admittance to this event is for registered and authorised attendees. Unfortunately we cannot permit access to visitors or allow non-registered persons to enter the meeting or exhibition areas. If you have any questions, please contact the RMS contact for this event.

Registration
Registration is now closed. 

Venue for the course
The Light Microscopy Summer School takes place within the Biology Department of the University of York. The Biology department is situated on Wentworth Way. The full address is Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York, YO10 5DD.  

Transport to the venue and accommodation
If you are flying to the UK, we recommend that you travel to Manchester International Airport and then travel by train to York. This is further, but is more convenient than travelling from Leeds Airport.

York Railway Station is the closest station to the campus and is a 5 minute walk from the accommodation. 

Accommodation
Your registration includes 3 nights’ en-suite, bed and breakfast accommodation at the Premier Inn, Blossom Street in York and transport each day to and from the university.

Delegates will be able to check-in on Sunday 8 July and will be departing on Wednesday 11 July (unless they are staying on for the Getting the Most from your Confocal Course, or otherwise arranged with the RMS office).

Meals
Breakfast will be provided on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning and buffet lunches, tea / coffee and biscuits and 2 evening meals are also included in your registration fee.    

- Sunday's evening meal will be held at Cosmo Authentic World Kitchen in York City Centre, followed by a walking tour of the city.      
- Monday is a free evening and you will need to provide your own meal
- Tuesday's evening meal will be held at Ask Italian in York City Centre.  

Registration
Registration will take place on Monday morning from 09.00 – 09.15 at the Department of Biology main reception.  

Dietary and Access requirements
The RMS is committed to our delegate’s health and wellbeing.  Therefore if you have any dietary or access requirements please contact Debbie Hunt.