Imaging Core

The microscope is built on a Nikon Ti2 inverted fluorescence microscope equipped for Differential Interference Contrast and fluorescence imaging in the blue, green, red, and far red channels at magnifications of 4X, 10X, 20X, and 100X. Super-resolution imaging modalities include TIRF (Total Internal Reflectance Fluorescence), Structured Illumination Microscopy (SIM), and Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy (STORM). The system is equipped with a stage top incubator for live cell imaging. The system uses Nikon Elements software to control image acquisition and analysis.

The microscope is built on a Nikon Ti2 inverted fluorescence microscope equipped for Differential Interference Contrast and fluorescence imaging in the blue, green, red, and far red channels at magnifications of 4X, 10X, 20X, 40X, 60X, and 100X. The SoRa attachment enables superresolution imaging and the spinning disk design permits confocal imaging through specimens up to 200-300 micrometers thick. The system is equipped with a stage top incubator for live cell imaging, and a fast galvo scanner for dynamic imaging methods including, FRAP, photoconversion, and photostimulation. The system uses Nikon Elements software to control image acquisition and analysis.

This multi-functional microscope is built on a Nikon Ti2 inverted fluorescence microscope equipped with two independent illumination decks. The first illumination deck is configured for high-speed, super-resolution imaging using the Nikon AX-R/NSPARC confocal imaging, and also supports Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLIM) using PicoQuant software and hardware for Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting. This system can be used for local environment sensing, detection of molecular interactions and changes in molecular conformations via FLIM/FRET. The second illumination deck is configured for white-light and multi-channel fluorescence imaging of cells or fixed tissue sections expressing fluorescent reporters or immunolabeled specimens. Stage-mounted live-cell imaging chambers are available for standard or super-resolution imaging in confocal, FLIM, or widefield imaging modes. The system uses Nikon Elements software to control image acquisition and analysis and PicoQuant software for FLIM analyses.

This microscope is configured for 3D and 2D imaging of large specimens at magnifications from 1X-40X, and supports imaging in blue, green, near red and far-red fluorescence channels or white light. The system is designed for imaging of multiple regions of interest within a sample and for image stitching of large fields in 2D and 3D. Leica LasX software is used for image acquisition and for THUNDER computational clearing of out-of-focus light in fluorescently labeled specimens.

A Nikon TE2000-U Eclipse inverted microscope capable of phase contrast and epifluorescence imaging in the blue, green, red, and far-red channels at 4X-60X is available for data documentation. The system uses Nikon Elements software to control image acquisition.

An Olympus BX51 upright microscope fitted with a Nikon DF3 color camera is available for color histology imaging at 4X-60X. The system uses Nikon Elements software to control image acquisition.

A shared Tanner Scientific TN50 Cryostat for preparation of frozen sections for histology, immunolabeling, or other applications.

A Simple Western Jess protein separation and nano-immunoassay system is available for automated quantitative multiplex analyses of protein samples. The system operates on Compass software and is housed in the Imaging Core.

Three LI-COR gel imaging systems for documentation and analysis of protein and nucleic acid blots are available in shared Department of Cell Biology space on the 1st and 5th floors of BMSB and the second floor of BRC I.

The Department of Cell Biology also provides access to shared equipment for nucleic acid purification and analysis, gel documentation and analysis, real time PCR, ultracentrifuges and nanopure water systems on the 1st and 5th floors of BMSB.