Imaging and Image Analyisis

b. Leica TCS SP2 AOBS (DMIRE2 Inverted Microscope Stand)

This point-scanning confocal microscope can perform high-resolution imaging and optical sectioning.  The optical sections can be volume reconstructed and visualized in real-time using in-house software packages (Amira, Volocity).  This microscope is capable of 2-photon, FRAP, and FRET imaging.  Most ultraviolet dyes can be adequately excited with an equipped 405nm diode-pumped solid state laser.  A motorized stage allows parallel time lapse imaging of multiple fields or stitching of adjacent fields into one super-resolution 'montage' image.  Equipped with an environmental chamber, this inverted microscope is suitable for long-term live-cell imaging as well as imaging of fixed samples.

c. Zeiss LSM 510 (Axiovert 200M Inverted Microscope Stand)

This point-scanning confocal microscope can perform high-resolution imaging and optical sectioning. The optical sections can be volume reconstructed and visualized in real-time using in-house software packages (Amira, Volocity). Equipped with an Argon true ultraviolet laser, it can be used to image dyes which require UV excitation (eg. Fura-2, Indo-1, TSQ). This inverted microscope is suitable for short-term imaging of live-cells and fixed samples.

d. PerkinElmer UltraVIEW ERS Rapid Confocal Imager (Axiovert 200M inverted stand)

This multi-point scanning confocal microscope can perform high-resolution imaging and optical sectioning at high-speeds (up to 35 frames per second).  The optical sections can be volume reconstructed and visualized in real-time using in-house software packages (Amira, Volocity).  This microscope is suitable for long-term imaging of live-cells and fixed samples.

2. Imaging with Widefield Microscopes

a. Zeiss 'Metamorph' (Aviovert 200M Inverted Microscope Stand)

This widefield inverted microscope stand is equipped with two CCD cameras.  The Coolsnap ES (1392x1040 image array) can image at full-resolution up to 11 frames per second at high quantum efficiency (>50% @ 400nm-680nm).  The Roper Scientific PhotoCascade 512B (512x512 image array) can image at full-resolution up to 29 frames per second at the absolute highest quantum efficiency (>80% @ 450nm-750nm, >90% @ 500nm-650nm).  The high sensitivity of these cameras means that even the most photolabile cells can be imaged under physiological conditions for extended periods.  A fast wavelength switcher permits fast sequential imaging of multiple fluorophores with perfect cross-channel spatial registration.  A motorized stage makes possible parallel time lapse imaging of multiple fields or stitching of multiple adjacent fields into one super-resolution 'montage' image.  This inverted microscope is suitable for long-term imaging of live-cells and fixed samples.

b. Two Zeiss Widefield Microscopes With ApoTome (Axioplan2 Upright Microscope Stand)

These widefield upright microscope stands are each equipped with two camera systems.  The QImaging Retiga (1360x1036 image array) and integrated LCD filter allow simplified color bright field imaging.  The Zeiss Axiocam MRm (1360x1036 image array) can acquire multi-channel fluorescence images.  These microscopes are suitable for fixed samples.

c. Zeiss Axiophot (Axioplan2 Upright Microscope Stand)

The QImaging Retiga (1360x1036 image array) and integrated LCD filter allow simplified color bright field imaging.  This system is also capable of simple multi-channel fluorescence imaging.  This upright microscope stand is suitable for fixed samples.

d. Leica MZFL3 (Stereoscope)

The integrated 'Combi' turret allows for fast-switching between low-resolution 3D stereoscopy and high-resolution microscopy.  The QImaging Retiga (1360x1036 image array) and integrated LCD filter allow simplified color bright field imaging.  This system is also capable of single-channel fluorescence imaging (filter set: DAPI, CFP, EGFP, YFP, TRITC, DsRED).

e. Arcturus Laser Capture Microdissection (Upright Microscope Stand)

This instrument can dissect cells from tissue sections. The pure cells and tissues obtained with this method can be analyzed by varied molecular methods (eg. PCR, RT-PCR).