Fluorescence Spectroscopy

The Fluorescence Spectroscopy Facility has been developed through the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology in collaboration with the Department of Pathobiology. This facility focuses on providing state of the art spectroscopy services to researchers interested in topics ranging from structure of purified macromolecules to multiphoton fluorescence imaging of living cells. The Fluorescence Sprectroscopy facility will provide investigators with training and services for analysis of biomolecules such as lipids, proteins, and xenobiotics as well as purified membranes, intra cellular organelles, cells in culture, and living tissue.

Three types of training and services are offered: First, purification of spectroscopic grade florescent molecules. Second, structural investigation of purified molecules and isolated organelles. These activities are supported by several technologies including Time Resolved Fluorometry (phase and modulation resolved fluorescence lifetime, differential polarized phase fluorometry), steady state Photon Counting Fluorometry (intensity, polarization), Circular Dichroism (helix, beta-sheet, beta-turn, random coil), Differential Absorption Spectroscopy, and Silicon Graphics Modeling. The steady state Photon Counting fluorometry is also available for examination of intact cells in suspension. Third, recently acquired imaging technology provides not only for confocal fluorescence imaging but also for multiphoton fluorescence imaging (with internal and external detectors) and soon the florescence recovery after photobleaching. These technologies can be used not only to examine fluorescence distribution and kinetics, but also for colocalization and dynamics of fluorescent molecules in intact cells cultured on coverslips, intact tissue, and fixed tissue. Temperature, humidity, and CO₂ control of the tissue/cells are available on the microscope stage for environmental regulation.