Core D - Equipment
Prarie Ultima IV - Multiphoton Excitation Laser-Scanning Fluorescence Microscope
This system is dedicated to in vivo brain imaging through thinned skull or craniotomy, as well as for in vitro imaging of tissue slices (e.g. acute/cultured brain slices). The system is equipped with two highly sensitive GaAsP PMTs allowing simultaneous dual-color fluoresence imaging. Multiphoton excitation is achieved with a tunable (~720-950nm) mode-locked Ti:Sapphire laser (Chameleon, Coherent Inc).
Capabilities:
- In vivo cell and tissue imaging, especially in vivo brain imaging through thinned skull or craniotomy
- In vitro imaging of thick tissue slices.
- Excitable fluorophores or proteins:
- endogenous molecules – NADH, flavins, elastin, phorphyrins, collagen and keratin;
- calcium indicators – FM dyes, Fluo-3, Calcium Green, and Fura-2;
- fluorescence proteins – eCFP, eGFP and eYFP;
- photo-switchable fluorescent proteins – paGFP, psCFP, Kaede, and PA-mRFP
Location: Shelby Building, Room 1062
Useful Information: Specifications | User Manual | Schedule It
Image Analysis and Processing
Two high-performance workstations loaded with Imaris full version (Bitplane) and Neurolucida (MicroBrightField, Inc.) are installed for off-line imaging analysis and processing. Please use the online scheduler to guarantee your computer time, otherwise follow "first come, first serve".
Capabilities:
- Workstation 1: Imaris and Neurolucida
- Workstation 2: Imaris
Location: Shelby Building, Room 1062
Useful Information: Specifications | User Manual | Schedule It
Leica FCM 1000 -- Fiber Confocal Microscopes
This microscope is available for in vivo cellular imaging at depths not reachable by the multiphoton microscope through the skull or cranial window.
Capabilities:
- In vivo deep tissue imaging with minimally invasive access and real-time dynamic recording.
- With its optical-fibered microprobes the Leica FCM1000 is designed to access virtually anywhere in the living animal, for example, imaging the deep brain and the peripheral nervous system.
- Imaging resolution 3.3 micron
- Excitation wavelength: 488 nm.
Location: Research Support Building; Room 120B
Useful Information: Specifications | User Manual | Schedule It