Katharina Gaus Light Microscopy Facility (KGLMF)
Who we are
The Katharina Gaus Light Microscopy Facility, is a dedicated team of scientists committed to advancing research through comprehensive support and training in microscopy. Our mission is to empower researchers with both fundamental and cutting-edge microscopy techniques to push the boundaries of scientific discovery.
We understand that high-quality imaging is crucial for scientific research, and provide support from initial consultation through to specimen preparation services, training in light microscopy, and image analysis and interpretation. Our state-of-the-art facility is equipped with the latest technology to ensure the best possible results for your research.
Funding partners:
Capabilities
Techniques
Instruments
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The Leica Stellaris 8 is a state-of-the-art confocal microscope designed for advanced imaging applications. Equipped with a tunable white light laser, it provides flexible excitation across a wide range of fluorophores, enabling precise spectral imaging. The system also features Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLIM) capabilities, offering insights into molecular interactions and environmental changes at the nanoscale. With its high sensitivity and resolution, the Stellaris 8 is ideal for multidimensional imaging of complex samples.
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The Zeiss Lightsheet 7 is a cutting-edge light sheet microscope optimized for imaging large, delicate, and cleared samples with minimal photodamage. Its unique optical design allows fast, high-resolution, and 3D imaging across a wide range of specimen types, from organoids and spheroids to whole embryos and tissues. The system supports advanced sample clearing techniques and accommodates specimens in a variety of refractive indices, making it ideal for long-term, multidimensional imaging in developmental biology and pathology research.
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The Luxendo InviSPIM Lattice Pro is a versatile multimodal light sheet microscope offering Gaussian, Bessel, and lattice light sheet illumination modes for tailored imaging across diverse sample types. Its advanced design enables gentle, high-speed, and high-resolution 3D imaging, minimizing phototoxicity while capturing fine structural and dynamic details. With the integration of a PCO FLIM camera, the system provides fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) capabilities, allowing researchers to study molecular interactions and environmental factors such as pH and ion concentrations. This flexibility makes it ideal for imaging organoids, spheroids, embryos, and other complex live or fixed specimens, supporting cutting-edge biological and biomedical research.
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The MERSCOPE from Vizgen is a high-resolution in situ platform powered by MERFISH technology that maps and quantifies RNA species in tissues at single-cell resolution, enabling detailed spatial genomics analysis. It supports flexible experimental setups with customizable gene panels, enhancing cost efficiency and research productivity.
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The Leica DIVE system is an advanced multiphoton microscope designed for deep tissue imaging with exceptional flexibility and sensitivity. Featuring two tunable multiphoton lasers, it allows simultaneous excitation of multiple fluorophores for efficient, high-resolution imaging. The system is equipped with spectral non-descanned detectors (NDDs), enabling high signal-to-noise detection of fluorescence from deep within tissues. Additionally, its Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLIM) capability provides critical insights into molecular interactions and environmental changes. With its Deep In Vivo Explorer (DIVE) technology, the system supports imaging depths exceeding 1 mm, making it ideal for live-cell and intravital imaging in neuroscience, developmental biology, and disease research.
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The Nikon Ti2 microscope, paired with the Yokogawa W1 spinning disk confocal unit, delivers high-speed, high-resolution imaging for dynamic and live-cell studies. The spinning disk technology minimizes phototoxicity and bleaching, making it ideal for long-term imaging of sensitive samples. Equipped with a dual-camera setup, the system enables simultaneous multi-channel acquisition, significantly enhancing temporal resolution and enabling advanced colocalization studies. This configuration is perfect for applications requiring rapid, multidimensional imaging, such as cellular dynamics, intracellular trafficking, and live-tissue research.
Workshops & events
Master the basics of image processing and analysis through our workshop series. Utilizing ImageJ/FIJl, these sessions will guide you in preparing your data for presentation and publication, alongside offering an initial insight into image analysis.
Our people
Fees
Hourly rates
Charges are accumulated at an hourly rate
Subscription models
Flat free subscriptions available for heavy usage
Fee for service
Preparation and/or imaging by BMIF
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Below are the lists of charges for various services. All charges are ex GST
Includes UNSW/Partner External Period Hourly Spectroscopy Fluorometer and Lifetime Spectroscopy$20.00/h $20/hr $36/hr Per Hour Hourly Microscopy Microscopes and Image Analysis platforms $50/hr $90/hr Per Hour 4 Month Subscription Use of all equipment $1,100 N/A 4-month period within the calendar year
(1st Jan - 31st Dec)
This rate cannot be renewed within the same calendar yearStudent Annual Subscription
(Honours Students only)
Use of all equipment $1,000 N/A 1st Jan 2025 - 31st Dec 2025 Annual Subscription 1 Use of all equipment excluding lightsheet
AND intravital microscopes$1,750 N/A 1st Jan 2025 - 31st Dec 2025 Annual Subscription 2 Use of all equipment including either lightsheet OR intravital microscopes $2,200 N/A 1st Jan 2025 - 31st Dec 2025 Annual Subscription 3 Use on all equipment including both lightsheet AND intravital microscopes $2,500 N/A 1st Jan 2025 - 31st Dec 2025 Fee For Service (FFS) Imaging services performed by BMIF staff TBD TBD Contact kglmf@unsw.edu.au - Hourly Spectroscopy
- Includes
- Fluorometer and Lifetime Spectroscopy$20.00/h
- UNSW/Partner
- $20/hr
- External
- $36/hr
- Period
- Per Hour
- Hourly Microscopy
- Includes
- Microscopes and Image Analysis platforms
- UNSW/Partner
- $50/hr
- External
- $90/hr
- Period
- Per Hour
- 4 Month Subscription
- Includes
- Use of all equipment
- UNSW/Partner
- $1,100
- External
- N/A
- Period
- 4-month period within the calendar year
(1st Jan - 31st Dec)
This rate cannot be renewed within the same calendar year
Student Annual Subscription
(Honours Students only)
- Includes
- Use of all equipment
- UNSW/Partner
- $1,000
- External
- N/A
- Period
- 1st Jan 2025 - 31st Dec 2025
- Annual Subscription 1
- Includes
- Use of all equipment excluding lightsheet
AND intravital microscopes
- UNSW/Partner
- $1,750
- External
- N/A
- Period
- 1st Jan 2025 - 31st Dec 2025
- Annual Subscription 2
- Includes
- Use of all equipment including either lightsheet OR intravital microscopes
- UNSW/Partner
- $2,200
- External
- N/A
- Period
- 1st Jan 2025 - 31st Dec 2025
- Annual Subscription 3
- Includes
- Use on all equipment including both lightsheet AND intravital microscopes
- UNSW/Partner
- $2,500
- External
- N/A
- Period
- 1st Jan 2025 - 31st Dec 2025
- Fee For Service (FFS)
- Includes
- Imaging services performed by BMIF staff
- UNSW/Partner
- TBD
- External
- TBD
- Period
- Contact kglmf@unsw.edu.au
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Below are the lists of charges for various services. All charges are ex GST
- DIY – Do It Yourself (self service)
BSP Grouping
Protocol Price (Ex. GST)
UNSW/Partner
Price (Ex GST)
External
Job Embedding
Paraffin Embedding $5 $9 Per Block Paraffin Slide Sealing $1 $2 Per Block Sectioning Paraffin Sectioning $5 $9 For first slide from each block $2 $4 For subsequent slides from same block Cryosectioning $5 $9 For first slide from each block $2 $4 For subsequent slides from same block Microtome *DIY $20 $36 Per Hour (1 hour training required for new users) Vibratome *DIY $20 $36 Per Hour (1 hour training required for new users) Cryomicrotome *DIY $25 $45 Per Hour (1 hour training required for new users) Microtomy Subscription *DIY (Yearly) $400 N/A For usage > 20 hours within the calendar year
*(1st Jan - 31st Dec)
Staining H&E Staining $5 $9 For first slide of each stain $2 $4 For subsequent slides of same stain Immunostaining -
Chromogenic DAB$25 $45 Per one antibody on slide (does not include sectioning; primary antibodies to be provided by user) Immunostaining -
Fluorescence$25 $45 Per one antibody on slide (does not include sectioning; primary and secondary antibodies to be provided by user) - additional primary antibody $20/$35 each Specialised Stains TBD TBD Pricing depends on protocol
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Below are the lists of charges for various services. All charges are ex GST
- DIY – Do It Yourself (self service)
Slide Scanning service on Olympus VS200 UNSW/Partner External Job Bright Field, Phase contrast, Polarized (H&E, IHC, special stains) $11 $20 Per Slide, 1 imaging mode Slide scanning additional scan (Bright Field, Polarized, Darkfield, Phase contrast) $6 $10 Per Slide Fluorescence - basic $16 $29 Per Slide - <= 2 channels, <= 1 hour scan Fluorescence - complex $22 $40 Per Slide: 3 or more channels, > 1 hour scan Slide scanning *DIY (Hourly) $50 $90 Per Hour Slide scanning DIY^ (Yearly) $1,750 NA For usage ≥ 30 hours within the calendar year (1st Jan – 31st Dec) UNSW and Partner – access to KGLMF subscription External User – BF slide scanning only Does not include slide cleaning Slide cleaning
(Additional surcharge per slide if slides require cleaning before scanning)
Includes cleaning of dust/oil and/or trimming of excess mounting media from slide edges to prevent slides jamming in the equipment$5 $5 - Slide Scanning service on Olympus VS200
- Bright Field, Phase contrast, Polarized (H&E, IHC, special stains)
- UNSW/Partner
- $11
- External
- $20
- Job
- Per Slide, 1 imaging mode
- Slide Scanning service on Olympus VS200
- Slide scanning additional scan (Bright Field, Polarized, Darkfield, Phase contrast)
- UNSW/Partner
- $6
- External
- $10
- Job
- Per Slide
- Slide Scanning service on Olympus VS200
- Fluorescence - basic
- UNSW/Partner
- $16
- External
- $29
- Job
- Per Slide - <= 2 channels, <= 1 hour scan
- Slide Scanning service on Olympus VS200
- Fluorescence - complex
- UNSW/Partner
- $22
- External
- $40
- Job
- Per Slide: 3 or more channels, > 1 hour scan
- Slide Scanning service on Olympus VS200
- Slide scanning *DIY (Hourly)
- UNSW/Partner
- $50
- External
- $90
- Job
- Per Hour
- Slide Scanning service on Olympus VS200
- Slide scanning DIY^ (Yearly)
- UNSW/Partner
- $1,750
- External
- NA
- Job
- For usage ≥ 30 hours within the calendar year (1st Jan – 31st Dec) UNSW and Partner – access to KGLMF subscription External User – BF slide scanning only Does not include slide cleaning
- Slide Scanning service on Olympus VS200
Slide cleaning
(Additional surcharge per slide if slides require cleaning before scanning)
Includes cleaning of dust/oil and/or trimming of excess mounting media from slide edges to prevent slides jamming in the equipment
- UNSW/Partner
- $5
- External
- $5
- Job
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Below are the lists of charges for various services. All charges are ex GST
- Includes unlimited use of EM ICE, AFS2 and Biowave. Does not include consumables (i.e. grids, planchettes, sapphire disks)
Protocol UNSW/Partner External Job Electron Microscopy Processing
(fixation, EM post fixation, embedding)$5 $9 Per Sample Biowave use $15 $27 Per Hour 35mm GRID dish $10 $18 Per Sample EM Chemical Processing $5 $9 Per Sample Apex DAB Reaction $5 $9 Per Tablet (4 samples) Leica ICE 6mm Planchettes $20 $36 Per Sample Leica ICE 6mm Sapphires $60 $108 Per Sample Leica ICE Run Rate $50 $90 Per Hour Leica AFS2 Run Rate $50 $90 Per Day (24 hours) Cryo Preparation Subscription (Yearly)* $1,500 N/A 1st Jan 2025 - 31st Dec 2025 - Protocol
- Electron Microscopy Processing
(fixation, EM post fixation, embedding)
- UNSW/Partner
- $5
- External
- $9
- Job
- Per Sample
- Protocol
- Biowave use
- UNSW/Partner
- $15
- External
- $27
- Job
- Per Hour
- Protocol
- 35mm GRID dish
- UNSW/Partner
- $10
- External
- $18
- Job
- Per Sample
- Protocol
- EM Chemical Processing
- UNSW/Partner
- $5
- External
- $9
- Job
- Per Sample
- Protocol
- Apex DAB Reaction
- UNSW/Partner
- $5
- External
- $9
- Job
- Per Tablet (4 samples)
- Protocol
- Leica ICE 6mm Planchettes
- UNSW/Partner
- $20
- External
- $36
- Job
- Per Sample
- Leica ICE 6mm Sapphires
- Leica ICE Run Rate
- $60
- $50
- $108
- $90
- Per Sample
- Per Hour
- Leica ICE 6mm Sapphires
- Leica AFS2 Run Rate
- $60
- $50
- $108
- $90
- Per Sample
- Per Day (24 hours)
- Leica ICE 6mm Sapphires
- Cryo Preparation Subscription (Yearly)*
- $60
- $1,500
- $108
- N/A
- Per Sample
- 1st Jan 2025 - 31st Dec 2025
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- Immunostaining can be added with no extra charge, but you need to provide all optimized protocols and staining reagents
Type Protocol UNSW/Partner External Job Sample Clearing Cubic reagent 1/2 (RI: 1.48) $50 $90 Per Slide CUBIC Reagent L/R (RI: 1.51) CLARITY (RI: 1.45) PEGASOS (RI: 1.54) Ethyl Cinnamate (RI: 1.56) -
Method UNSW/Partner Australian Universities BOND single immunohistochemistry DAB $25 $45 BOND immunohistochemistry positions DAB $35 $63 2 OPAL MONOPLEX/LIBRARY (DAPI + 1 OPAL) $55 $99 3 OPAL MULTIPLEX (DAPI + 2 OPAL) $60 $108 4 OPAL MULTIPLEX (DAPI + 3 OPAL) $70 $126 5 OPAL MULTIPLEX (DAPI + 4 OPAL) $84 $151.20 6 OPAL MULTIPLEX (DAPI + 5 OPAL) $98 $176.40 7 OPAL MULTIPLEX (DAPI + 6 OPAL) $112 $201.60 8 OPAL MULTIPLEX (DAPI + 7 OPAL) $126 $226.80 9 OPAL MULTIPLEX (DAPI + 8 OPAL) $140 $252 Multiplexing Project Fee $2,500 $4,500 - Method
- BOND single immunohistochemistry DAB
- UNSW/Partner
- $25
- Australian Universities
- $45
- Method
- BOND immunohistochemistry positions DAB
- UNSW/Partner
- $35
- Australian Universities
- $63
- Method
- 2 OPAL MONOPLEX/LIBRARY (DAPI + 1 OPAL)
- UNSW/Partner
- $55
- Australian Universities
- $99
- Method
- 3 OPAL MULTIPLEX (DAPI + 2 OPAL)
- UNSW/Partner
- $60
- Australian Universities
- $108
- Method
- 4 OPAL MULTIPLEX (DAPI + 3 OPAL)
- UNSW/Partner
- $70
- Australian Universities
- $126
- Method
- 5 OPAL MULTIPLEX (DAPI + 4 OPAL)
- UNSW/Partner
- $84
- Australian Universities
- $151.20
- Method
- 6 OPAL MULTIPLEX (DAPI + 5 OPAL)
- UNSW/Partner
- $98
- Australian Universities
- $176.40
- Method
- 7 OPAL MULTIPLEX (DAPI + 6 OPAL)
- UNSW/Partner
- $112
- Australian Universities
- $201.60
- Method
- 8 OPAL MULTIPLEX (DAPI + 7 OPAL)
- UNSW/Partner
- $126
- Australian Universities
- $226.80
- Method
- 9 OPAL MULTIPLEX (DAPI + 8 OPAL)
- UNSW/Partner
- $140
- Australian Universities
- $252
- Method
- Multiplexing Project Fee
- UNSW/Partner
- $2,500
- Australian Universities
- $4,500
Subscriptions
- Only available within UNSW and partner organisations
- Are per individual and are non-transferable to other people
- Finish on the 31st December 2025
- Allow uncapped usage, however this does depend on instrument and staff availability. Good planning is necessary in busy periods late in the year.
Unsure if you should pay hourly or take out a subscription?
You can start on an hourly rate, and it will automatically convert to a subscription (if eligible) once a subscription is cheaper than your hourly accumulation.
How to access
Contact us at kglmf@unsw.edu.au with your inquiry and we will arrange a meeting to discuss your requirements in detail. If you wish to access our instruments, please complete the ACLS registration process to begin onboarding.
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Start by creating a user profile in our booking system - ACLS.
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Once you have completed the registration, you‘ll get an email detailing the steps for onboarding.
This email will include a link to a form where you can describe your project. The details you sent me will help us put together a highly skilled team ready to meet with you and address your requirements. -
During this meeting will explain how you can gain access to our lab space and what training you can anticipate.
Additionally, we will talk about your research project to make sure you match with the most suitable instrument for your research question. -
To access the lot you must finish an online lab induction and receive a training from KGLMF staff on how to use the instruments. Our training is thorough and designed to accommodate even individuals who have no prior experience with microscopes.
Contact us
Katharina Gaus Light Microscopy Facility
Room LG12, Lower Ground
Lowy Cancer Research Centre (C25)
UNSW Sydney
Phone : 02 9065 5306
Email : kglmf@unsw.edu.au
We like to hear from you. If you have questions, requests or ideas for collaboration, please complete the contact form and we will be in touch within five business days.
Resources
KGLMF-BSP request form tissue processing and sectioning
- Format
- Size
- 552 KB
KGLMF-BSP request form CRYO sectioning
- Format
- Size
- 568 KB
Get in touch about your project
We offer a range of services that can be tailored to your needs. Please send us an enquiry to get started.
