Available for CNNR related projects, this state-of-the-art microscopy core provides advanced cellular imaging capabilities and creates a physical environment that will help foster interactions between members of different labs.  The facility has purchased an Objective-type Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) system from Olympus.  This type of microscopy allows selective visualization of the cortical region of a cell and is ideally suited to monitor exoendocytosis, interactions of the plasma membrane with the cytoskeleton or with intracellular membranes, dynamics of signaling complexes, etc.  The TIRF microscope is equipped with solid-state lasers providing excitation at 488, 543 and 605 nm.  Laser light is combined and delivered through the Andor Revolution system (Andor Technologies).  Images are collected through  an  electron-multiplied, charge-coupled device (EMCCD) camera from Andor Technologies and the system is controlled through the Andor iQ Imaging suite.  This new microscope and system has been installed on the first floor of BCMM and will be moved to the newly renovated CNNR microscopy facility on the 4th floor in Fall 2007.  This facility will also house Multiphoton confocal microscopy  and Spinning-disc microscopy.

This core is available to researchers with CNNR- related projects for a small user fee.  Training is required.

Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscope

2PLSM - Two-Photon Laser Scanning Microscope

This core focuses  on functional genomic methodology.  The facility   provides a center where complete SiRNA libraries can be screened for effects on a cellular phenotype of relevance for neurodegeneration.  A Molecular Devices ImageXpress Micro with robotic plate handling and cellular analysis software has been installed in BCMM 147.  This system is capable of imaging 50,000 wells/day.  The core has accessed the Yale Life Sciences High Performance Computing Center to process and analyze the terabytes of image data that is collected, establishing a robust cellular imaging capability that is amenable to genome-wide screening for function genomics.

Broader use of this facility is offered to the School of Medicine community for PI’s interested in Neurodegeneration related projects. A small user fee is associated.  Training is required.

Molecular Devices ImageXpress Micro