Discussion and laboratory-based course covering the practical use of the confocal microscope, with special attention to the dynamic analysis of living cells and embryos. Course topics include: basic optics, microscope design, Kohler illumination, confocal microscopy, light sheet microscopy, spectral unmixing and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, three-dimensional reconstruction of fixed cells and tissues. Students will construct a light sheet microscope based on the openSPIM design, and perform time-lapse confocal analysis of living cells and embryos. Enrollment is limited. Given in alternate years; offered 2023-24.