CALM Courses & Technical Services
We offer hands-on, expert support to help labs build, maintain, and optimize their microscopy systems. Whether you're troubleshooting an issue, setting up a new instrument, or developing a custom solution, CALM provides practical, research-focused assistance tailored to your needs.
What We Offer
Microscope Repair & Maintenance
Keep your systems running at peak performance. We diagnose and repair common and complex issues across a range of microscopy platforms, including routine maintenance, alignment, and component replacement.
Cleaning & Preventative Care
Optics and mechanical components require proper care to maintain image quality and system longevity. We provide thorough cleaning services and guidance on best practices to prevent performance degradation.
Troubleshooting & Optimization
Experiencing poor image quality or inconsistent performance? We identify the root cause (optical, mechanical, or software-related), and help optimize your system for reliable, high-quality imaging.
Custom Microscope Builds & Modifications
From adapting existing setups to building custom systems, we support labs developing specialized imaging solutions. This includes optical design, component integration, and system validation.
Software & Acquisition Support
We assist with microscope control software, acquisition workflows, and data handling. Whether you're configuring new hardware, automating experiments, or resolving software issues, we help streamline your imaging pipeline.
Rates and Billing
Consulting and technical services are billed through iLabs at the applicable hourly consulting rate. Billing is based on the time required to complete the requested work, including consultation, troubleshooting, repairs, and custom development. More information about recharge rates rates can be found here.
Training & Short Courses
We are developing a series of short, practical courses designed to build technical confidence and independence in microscopy. These courses are tailored for researchers at all levels and emphasize hands-on learning.
Fundamentals of Microscopy (Required for training on CALM equipment)
This introductory course covers the core principles of microscopy, including basic optics, common imaging modalities, and best practices for acquiring high-quality, reproducible data on CALM systems.
The course is offered on an as-needed basis, typically on a weekly schedule, and is required before independent training on CALM equipment.
- Duration: 2 hours
- Registration: To register, please submit a training request through iLabs and email the CALM team with your availability so that a session can be scheduled.
Bioimage Analysis Workshop (October 2026)
This 8-session workshop provides a practical foundation in image processing and analysis for graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, scientists, and faculty who work with light microscopy images and have limited or no prior experience with image analysis. Participants will use Python and AI-assisted coding to develop tools they can apply to their own imaging data and analysis problems.
Topics include image fundamentals and filtering, Fourier transforms and denoising, classical and AI-assisted segmentation, object tracking, and working with participants' own imaging data.
Duration: 8 sessions, 90 minutes each
Schedule: October 26 – November 23, 2026; Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:00–4:30 p.m. (no session November 11)
Format: Genentech Hall N114 + remote via Zoom; in-person attendance is strongly recommended
Fee: $400, charged via iLabs
Session | Date | Topic |
1 | 10/26 | Introduction to Python, uv, git, GitHub, and AI coding assistants |
2 | 10/28 | What are images made of? Bits, bytes, RGB, and image display (brightness, contrast, gamma) |
3 | 11/2 | Neighborhood operations and image filtering: reversible vs. non-reversible operations, median filtering, top-hat filtering, and related approaches |
4 | 11/4 | Fourier transforms and AI-assisted denoising methods |
5 | 11/9 | Segmentation: manual and classical automated methods, including Otsu and related approaches |
- | 11/11 | Veterans Day – No Session |
6 | 11/16 | AI-assisted segmentation using tools such as Cellpose and StarDist |
7 | 11/18 | Object tracking |
8 | 11/23 | Working through participants' own image-analysis problems and wrap-up |
Registration: Enrollment is limited to 30 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. To participate, please submit the Bioimage Analysis Workshop Registration Form
→ Link to Course Coming Soon
Biophysics 210: Advanced Light Microscopy
A comprehensive, hands-on course covering the principles and practice of advanced light microscopy. Topics include optical theory, fluorescence imaging, resolution limits, instrument alignment, and practical data acquisition strategies, with an emphasis on developing independence at the microscope.
→ Link to 2026 course here
Building Your Own High-Precision Microscope (Coming Soon)
A deep dive into designing and assembling custom microscopy systems, including component selection, alignment strategies, and system characterization.
→ [More info coming soon!]