Introduction

The Morphology and Imaging Center (MIC) was established in April 2000 as an integral component in the Department of Neuroscience, it is organized as a research oriented core-laboratory rather than a fee-for-service facility. The goal has been to provide training, expertise and consultation to graduate students, postdocs and staff who wish to obtain high quality imaging data from any morphological and immunocytochemical experiments. We routinely conduct research projects that require sophisticated techniques such as: deconvolution microscopy, 3D confocal laser scanning microscopy as well as the standard and immuno-electron microscopy. The intensive collaboration with the faculty members has been focused on to understand the structural dynamics of the neuron and synapse in central nervous system from either fixed or live cell/tissue.  In addition, we are interested in developing the projects that require highly specialized knowledge and skills such as high pressure freezing method and electron tomography. MIC oversees and maintains the departmental shared histology/microscopic equipment.

Collaboration

We mainly collaborate in the following area:

1) Examining immunolabeled or expressed proteins in neuronal cultures and rodent brain sections using epi-fluorescence/ deconvolution, confocal laser scanning microscopy and quantitative image analysis.

2) Analyzing morphological phenotype in the central nervous system of genetically modified mice. The studies are mostly on the embryonic neuronal culture and the brain sections from adult animals. We also provide the high quality image data for quantitative electron microscopy.

3) Performing immuno-electron microscopy to visualize the localization of the endogenous or expressed proteins at much higher resolution (nanometer scale) than that from light microscopic imaging. The EM immunocytochemistry routinely is carried out either on neuronal culture or brain tissue, and the result has generally been correlated with the finding at light microscopic level.

Resource and equipment

Confocal microscopes:

Zeiss inverted LSM510 with META detector and two-photon capability (NB4.214)

Zeiss new LSM 510 (NA4.602)

Wide-field fluorescence microscopes:

Olympus BX51 upright fluorescence microscope (NA4.300)

Zeiss inverted fluorescence microscope (NA4.130F)

Stereo/dissecting microscope:

Zeiss steREO Discovery.V12. (NA4.214)

A motorized stereo microscope with automatic collection of z-stacks and extended focus option, equipped with Axiocam Mrc5 color camera and Axiovision software for microscope control and basic measurement and analysis.

Image analysis Workstations:

MetaMorph computer: for general morphometry and image analysis (NA4.214).

LSM off-line workstation: Zeiss LSM5, Zen 2007 LE and Image J software for analysis of the captured confocal and epi-fluorescence images including various measurement (NA4.214).

Sample preparation:

Leica A: model CM 3050 (NA4.130D)

Leica B (new): model CM 3050 (NA4.130D)

Hacker/Bright: model OTF, require non-disposable metal knifes (NA4.130D)

Vibratome: Model 1000 Plus (NA4.214)

Ultramicrotome: Reichert Ultracut E (NA4.214)

User signup 

To reserve microscopes and other histology equipment please go to: http://scheduler.swmed.edu/neuroscience. First-time users are required to register, and attend the related training sessions.

Contact information

You are welcome to come and discuss your imaging needs for your ongoing projects, and any questions or suggestion regarding the use of the department-shared imaging related equipment.

Web: http://www8.utsouthwestern.edu/utsw/cda/dept120915/files/151153.html

E-mail: Xinran.liu@utsouthwestern.edu

Phone: 214-648-1830

Office location: NA4.214A