ZEISS Certified Professional Course in Confocal Microscopy at Durham University 

Durham University is pleased to offer this specialist course in collaboration with ZEISS Academy Microscopy.  

Dates: 25^th & 26^th June 2026 

Cost: £1,000 

Confocal microscopy is a critical tool in many industrial and academic workflows – from screening and assay development to product testing, quality control, and technical support. This two-day course is designed for professionals who need dependable imaging data to do their job, even if microscopy is not their primary expertise.

By combining cutting-edge Virtual Reality (VR) training with expert-led, hands-on sessions, the course focuses on helping you generate robust, reproducible images and data that support better decisions, faster projects, and more confident reporting.  

Target group

This course is designed for professionals in industry and academia who use (or will use) confocal microscopy as part of their work, including:

• R&D and application scientists
• Assay development and screening specialists
• Process development and manufacturing scientists
• Quality control / quality assurance staff
• Technical support, field application, and product management roles

It is particularly suitable for beginners and occasional/confident users who:

• Need to set up and run routine confocal assays reliably
• Must be able to justify and document imaging data for internal stakeholders, customers, or regulators
• Want to improve efficiency, reduce failed experiments, and get more value from existing samples and data

No previous confocal experience is required; a basic understanding of laboratory workflows is assumed.

Course Overview

The programme includes: 

• Four custom-designed Virtual Reality training modules, 
• Four interactive e-learning modules, 
• Hands-on sessions with Durham imaging specialists, and 
• Application-focused talks from field experts 

This unique course delivers comprehensive, practical training in confocal microscopy using state-of-the-art learning methods. You will develop the essential skills needed to operate high-end confocal laser scanning microscopes with confidence and to obtain reliable data that supports your job. 

Learning objectives

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Plan and run basic confocal imaging workflowsthat support your assays and projects, from sample to data.
• Choose appropriate imaging settings(e.g. laser lines, detectors, resolution, speed) to obtain data that is fit for purpose and reproducible.
• Identify and correct common imaging issues(e.g. poor signal, bleed-through, out-of-focus light, photobleaching) to avoid failed experiments and rework.
• Design experiments and controlsthat allow you to validate and “prove” your results to colleagues, customers, and reviewers.
• Streamline your imaging workflowto gain efficiency – reducing hands-on time, minimising repeat measurements, and making better use of shared instruments.
• Critically assess and re-evaluate confocal data, recognising limitations and extracting additional information where possible.
• Communicate effectively with imaging experts and vendors, enabling you to ask the right questions and implement improvements in your own lab.

Systems used in the course

During practical sessions, participants will work directly with three of the latest ZEISS confocal microscopy systems: 

• ZEISS LSM 980 with Airyscan 2 (inverted)
• ZEISS LSM 880 with Airyscan (inverted)
• ZEISS LSM 800 with Airyscan (upright)

Jointly developed by ZEISS, Durham University, and University of Glasgow imaging experts, the course combines technical excellence with engaging delivery. While ZEISS instruments are used to demonstrate the power of modern confocal microscopy, the core principles are presented in a systemagnostic way, ensuring you can apply your knowledge across any confocal platform in your organisation. 

Course content and benefits 

Immersive VR confocal training 

Experience one of the first full VR confocal microscopy training courses – a fully immersive platform that lets you explore the latest confocal technologies in ways not possible in real life. Across four interactive modules, you will:

• Explore system components and understand what really influences image quality
• Adjust settings in a risk-free environment before you touch a real instrument
• Design multichannel and 3D volume experiments aligned to typical industrial assays
• Practise live-cell imaging and understand how to protect samples while getting the data you need
• Test your knowledge through gamified VR challenges, with expert feedback

This VR foundation means your hands-on time on the real microscopes is focused, efficient, and relevant to your workflows.

Integrated e-Learning modules 

The VR programme is complemented by four e-learning modules developed by specialists from Durham University and ZEISS Academy Microscopy. These modules:

• Reinforce key concepts at your own pace
• Guide you step-by-step through software setup and basic analysis
• Use interactive content, quizzes, and video demonstrations to connect principles with realworld tasks

This blended approach helps you retain what you learn and apply it immediately in your own laboratory environment.

Hands-on training with ZEISS Systems 

Guided by experienced trainers, you will:

• Translate VR and e-learning knowledge into real-world operation of confocal microscopes
• Set up and run standard imaging protocols relevant to typical industrial assays
• Optimise acquisition settings to improve signal-to-noise, resolution, and throughput
• Diagnose and troubleshoot common problems that lead to poor or unusable images
• Streamline imaging workflows to reduce re-runs and wasted samples

A diverse range of biological samples, from human cells and tissues to plant material, will be provided. Participants are also encouraged to bring their own samples for personalised advice and setup guidance, helping you return to your workplace with directly transferable protocols.

Expert-led application talks 

The course concludes with talks from field experts, introducing key confocal concepts and showcasing:

• Real application examples from industry and academia
• Case studies illustrating how to design robust experiments and validate results
• Strategies to re-evaluate and get more information from existing datasets

These sessions are designed to help you think differently about your experiments and workflows, so you can enrich your content and make better use of the data you already have.

Participants are welcome from academia and industry across the UK, Europe, and beyond. 

For more information, please contact vrconfocalcourse@durham.ac.uk.