Dear confocal users, The 100x objective of our spinning disc is broken, there is immersion oil inside the objective. We currently have a demo lens from Nikon which allows us to keep working while they are checking the cost to repair our objective. Oil inside the objective can only be caused by using too much immersion oil which has ran down the body of the lens and in between the body and the retractive top part. There is no alternative way to explain this than malpractice and this should not happen. The objectives are one of the most expensive parts of any microscope and anything abnormal should be reported to Evelien or me instantly. We will take measures to better protect the objectives, and at least from now on, everyone using this 100x objective should clean the lens with a soft tissue and lens paper whenever you change the sample. Also, when you are finished, the 100x objective should be cleaned with the lens cleaning solution (on a soft tissue followed by lens cleaning paper). Have fun imaging, d Daniel Van Damme - Expert scientist Advanced Live Cell Imaging VIB Department of Plant Systems Biology Ghent University Technologiepark 927 - 9052 Ghent - Belgium Tel. +32(0)9 331 39 13 www.psb.ugent.be