Imaging

The Image Analysis Laboratory (IAL) facility has a range of microscopes and related systems that offer a wide array of capabilities. Some of the capabilities are listed below. Please contact us if you have questions about the best way to proceed with your project. Please let us know if there are other techniques or capabilities that you may need. It may be possible to add these to our facilities and services.

Airyscansuperresolution image of mitochondria (yellow) and microtubules (red) in live cells in culture and labeled with tracker probes. Image captured with the Zeiss 780 confocal/multiphoton/Airyscan instrument.

Fluorescence imaging of a range of samples

  • Different modalities for different specimens – widefield, deconvolution, laser scanning confocal, multiphoton, TIRF, super-resolution
  • Filters/excitation for numerous fluorophores
  • Laser lines available: 405, 458, 488, 514, 543, 561, 594, 633, and 690-1020 nm (pulsed IR)

Transmitted light imaging

  • DIC, phase contrast, brightfield, darkfield, polarized light
  • Color digital imaging for IHC, special stains for histology, etc.

Live-cell imaging

  • Temperature, humidity, and CO2 regulation on widefield fluorescence, confocal, multiphoton, and super-resolution microscopes
  • High-sensitivity CCD camera (quantum efficiency up to 92%) on widefield systems
  • Time-lapse

FRAP, FLIP, Photoactivation/conversion

  • Measure protein dynamics in living cells
  • Point and line-scanning confocal, convenient for defined regions with slower processes
  • Point activation/bleaching

FRET

  • Sensitized emission and acceptor photobleaching
  • Possible on confocal and widefield systems
  • Ratiometric CFP/YFP FRET reporter imaging

Image processing, analysis, quantification

  • Measurement of intensity, size, number, etc.
  • Object tracking
  • 3D measurement
  • Deconvolution
  • Pattern recognition

Transmission electron microscopy

  • Fixation, tissue processing, and resin embedding
  • Ultra-microtomy and post-staining of sections
  • Immunogold labeling
  • Negative stain preparations
  • Image interpretation and analysis