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Light Microscopy

The Light Microscopy Core Technology Platform provides access to several state-of-the-art microscopes and aids in the following research activities:

Confocal and Super-resolution Imaging

The microscopy facility applications include molecular motor transport studies, 3D neuronal network imaging and nanoparticle testing, and cell screening. The facility also can perform imaging of fluorescently labeled samples including drosophila brains, mouse brain sections, and cultured cells.

Widefield Microscopy

Various imaging techniques are used in widefield microscopy which includes epifluorescence, phase contract, and differential contrast microscopy. These are used in the core facility in various projects such as cell growth and proliferation regulation studies, actin reprogramming, and C. elegans embryogenesis.

Sample Preparation

The facility supports researchers in experimental design and suggests different labeling techniques and microscopes setups for the various applications.

Data Analysis

Various software programs are available for the post-processing of the images on a processing workstation (Autoquant, Imaris, Matlab, LasX offline license).

Equipment List

  • Biotek Instrument- LionHeart LLX
  • Confocal Microscope - Leica SP8
  • Confocal Two-Photon Microscope (Inverted) - Olympus FV1000
  • Confocal Two-Photon Microscope (Upright) - Olympus FV1000
  • Evident FV4000 MPE Two-Photon Microscope
  • EVOS FL Auto Imaging System 
  • EVOS FL Cell Imaging System 
  • Kibero easySAM Acoustic and Photoacoustic Microscope
  • Holographic Microscope - Nanolive 3D Cell Explorer
  • Leica Stellaris 8 Confocal Microscope
  • Metallurgical Microscope - Nikon LV-Dia
  • Microscopy Processing Station II - SuperMicro
  • Nikon LV100 DIC/Flurorescence Metallurgical Microscope 
  • Nikon SMZ18 Stereomicroscope 
  • Primo - Micropatterning system
  • Stereo Microscope - Leica M205C
  • Super Resolution Microscope - Leica STED 3X
  • Thorlab Ganymede GAN611 - Optical Coherence Tomography Microscope
  • Widefield Microscope - Leica DMI3000
  • Widefield Microscope - Leica DMI6000
  • Arena
  • The Arena is the dedicated area for motion experimentation. The Arena is a 17m x 6.4m x 8m space constructed from adaptable truss structures with surrounding nets for safety and can be reconfigured accordingly. The lighting system is controllable for colors and intensity, and removable protective mattresses cover the ground area. The Arena is equipped with a local position tracking system, a 2 kW sound system, a projection system, and a high-speed ethernet and wireless network.
  • Workspace
  • The Workspace houses workstations for eight scientists with a high-speed local network and controllable lighting system. The Workspace is also home to a high-performance GPU unit and a safe charging station for LiPo batteries.
  • Equipment
  • The lab's equipment focuses on facilitating motion experimentation. At its core are the Motion Capture System, a Robotic Arm, linear and Rotary stages, VR equipment, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones) and Mobile Robots, and a plethora of Payloads such as 3D Scanners, Visible - Thermal - Hyperspectral cameras, Communication Modules, etc.