Big ideas come into focus in the Skidmore Microscopy Imaging Center
The Skidmore Microscopy Imaging Center (SMIC) features a collection of microscopes
that rivals those of larger research institutions while also providing incredible
one-on-one research opportunities with knowledgeable faculty.
Located in Skidmore’s new Billie Tisch Center for Integrated Sciences (BTCIS), SMIC
supports light microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, scanning electron microscopy,
and transmission electron microscopy.
Haru Kato ’24 works in the Skidmore Microscopy Imaging Center.
Skidmore faculty members and students in the departments of biology, neuroscience,
chemistry, geoscience, and physics are engaging in microscopy-based research in SMIC’s
labs, studying topics ranging from neurodegenerative diseases to atmospheric particles
and plant cell biology and evolution.
Students are also invited to use the microscopy center for their own independent research,
to experiment, or to learn more about gathering and interpreting data with the equipment.
Kaylee Bagdan ’24 analyzes images in a SMIC lab.
In addition to promoting and facilitating microscopy-based research at Skidmore, SMIC
provides user-friendly outreach to surrounding communities.
With support from the National Science Foundation, SMIC hosts the Skidmore Young Scholars
Cell Biology Institute in the summer, providing comprehensive, interactive learning
to high schoolers in areas such as genetics, physiology, neuroscience, and disease
mechanisms.
SMIC’s equipment was funded by the National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation
program (NSF-MRI), the Lintilhac Foundation of Burlington, Vermont, The George I.
Alden Trust of Massachusetts, several other private foundations, and the College.
The Skidmore Microscopy Imaging Center’s equipment includes:
- Olympus BX60 Upright Fluorescent Light Microscope
- Olympus BX63 Upright Fluorescent Light Microscope with time lapse
- Olympus IX70 Inverted Fluorescent Light Microscope
- Olympus IX83 Inverted Fluorescent Light Microscope with time lapse
- Olympus SZX-12 Stereomicroscope
- Fluoview 1000 Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope
- FEI Quattro S Field Emission Scanning Microscope
- Hitachi HT7800 Transmissions Electron Microscope
- Ultracut E Ultramicrotome
- Leica EM UC6 Microtome
