About us

Welcome to virtual microscopy at UCT. We provide a virtual microscopy service to all departments of UCT as well as to other institutions. We are located in the Pathology Learning Centre on the Health Sciences Campus.

Enquiries regarding use of the virtual microscope from both university members and those outside the university are welcome. There is a base cost of R12.50 per slide scanned. The cost may be more for technically challenging and poorly prepared slides. Optional online storage of slides (so that they are viewable via a web browser) will cost R1.00 per slide, per month. The only exemption is for slides used in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education at UCT.

Instrument booking details.

What is virtual microscopy? Virtual microscopy is a method of posting whole slide microscope images on, and transmitting them over, computer networks. This allows independent viewing of a microscope slide by large numbers of people in diverse locations. It involves a synthesis of microscopy and digital technologies. The use of virtual microscopes can transform traditional teaching methods by removing the need for physical space and equipment, to a model that utilises computer-internet access.