Getting started
The Microscopy Core Facility (MCF) provides researchers with access to advanced microscopy systems and expert support for a wide range of imaging applications. Whether you're working with cells, tissues, or live samples, we offer the tools and guidance needed to plan, acquire, and analyze high-quality images. Our goal is to help you get started quickly and make the most of our equipment and expertise.
We have different procedures for light microscopy and electron microscopy projects. Please choose the appropriate one for your request below.
Step 1 (Light Microscopy)
First contact
Make an appointment with the core facility where we discuss the overall goals of your work and how to customize your experiments.
Please, send us the project description form and appropriate reference publications by email before the appointment.
Step 2
Finalize your MCF registration
Read and fill the following documents and complete your registration.
Step 3
Register for the booking system
Please, visit the booking system website before the training and register for an account, if you do not have one yet.
Make sure to set up TOTP authentication in the booking system.
Step 4 (for members of the medical faculty/UKB)
Register for the storage system
If you are a member of the Medical Faculty of Bonn University or of the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and you do not have access to the storage system yet, please register below.
Step 5 (Light Microscopy)
Training at the light microscope
When you have prepared your test samples according to the recommendations made during the initial meeting with the core facility, we will introduce you to the instruments making a basic acquisition setup with your samples.
For unassisted use a training (1 – 3 hours) is mandatory. Afterwards, you are allowed to make bookings for the instrument.
Address (NER)
Address (BMZ 2)
Microscopy Core Facility
Building 12
Venusberg-Campus 1
53127 Bonn
Arrival by bus and train or map
From Bonn main station you can take the bus line 600 (direction Ippendorf Altenheim) and 601 (direction Venusberg) to the bus stop “Uniklinikum Hauptpforte" (BMZ 2) or "Uniklinikum Süd” (NER). Line 630 runs in the Bonn city area without stopping at the main station. Please use the night bus (N5) between midnight and 5:30 a.m.
The Core Facilities thank the German Research Foundation for continuous support.
