Microscopy and Imaging

Program Overview

The CDI Microscopy & Imaging core provides access to a wide array of state-of-the-art instrumentation for light, confocal and super resolution microscopy and other image analysis platforms. Imaging modalities supported range from conventional brightfield, to wide-field fluorescence, confocal and high content imaging. The Microscopy and Imaging Shared Resource (MISR) supports the imaging of fixed samples and live cell and tissue preparations, with automated image acquisition over long time courses in various culture ware, on systems equipped with environmental chambers.

Microscopy and Imaging Core’s Mission

The MISR staff provide advice on the optimal imaging approaches to achieving the desired research outcomes, assistance with experimental design, initial training and ongoing supervision with the equipment as needed, and help with image analysis and data interpretation.

The MISR at CDI is also part of the National Cancer Institute-designated Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, and additional microscopy and imaging resources are available and can be accessed here.

Instruments and key features

MISR Instruments and Key Features

ONI Nanoimager S super resolution microscope. The Nanoimager is a desktop super resolution microscope that offers various modes of operation including dSTORM (20 nm resolution), PALM, smFRET and supports illumination modes from epifluorescence to TIRF, and can image fixed samples stained with immunofluorescence protocols or during live-cell imaging. The unit has temperature control up to 42°C and is microfluidics ready. The ONI Nanoimager can track single molecules and vesicles in both bacterial and eukaryotic cells.

Leica Stellaris 5 confocal microscope. The system is equipped with four laser lines (405, 488, 561, and 638 nm), four HyD S detectors, a range of objectives (10x, 20x, 40x water immersion, and 63x oil immersion) and LIGHTNING module. The microscope is integrated with an Okolab incubation chamber for live-cell imaging with temperature, humidity, and CO₂ control.

Nikon A1R LSM Confocal Microscope (NJ):
The Nikon Ti2 microscope equipped with an A1R LSM confocal unit and a Tokai Hit incubation chamber is ideal for imaging both fixed and live cell samples. The instrument has laser lines for 405, 445, 488, 514, 561, 640nm and a range of objectives (4x, 10x/0.45, 20x/0.75 A, 40x/0.95 A, 40x/1.3 O, 60x/1.4 O).

Nikon C2 confocal with CICERO spinning disk: Multi laser line excitation via C2 and/or spinning-disk illumination light source; objectives 10×/20×/40×(silicone)/60× oil; Prime BSI Express CMOS camera (up to 95 fps); Tokai Hit incubation chamber for live-cell imaging.

Nikon Ti2 widefield Epi-Fluorescence microscope (NJ):
The Nikon Ti2 epi-fluorescent microscope is equipped with a range of objectives (4x, 10x, 20x, 40x, 60x O, 100x O), and filters for DAPI, FITC, TRITC, Cy5, CFP, YFP, mCherry, and a Tokai Hit incubation chamber. The system is ideal for brightfield and widefield fluorescent imaging of fixed and live-cell specimens with images captured with a Hamamatsu camera.

Nikon Ti2R with DS-Qi2 CameraNikon Ti2R with DS-Qi2 color camera (NJ):
The Nikon Ti2R epi-fluorescent platform is equipped with a range of objectives (4x, 10x, 20X, 40x, 100x O), and filters for DAPI, FITC, TRITC, and Cy5. The color Ds-Qi2 camera makes this platform ideal for brightfield and fluorescent imaging of a range of samples.

Image Analysis Workstations
Nikon C2A stand-alone image-processing workstation is available. The workstation is equipped with NIS-Elements and Flowjo.

IMARIS workstation: The workstation is equipped with IMARIS for Core Facility package.

Other imaging instrumentation available

Leica Laser Capture Dissection (LMD6 _ LMD7)Leica laser-capture microdissection microscope (LMD6 and 7 models). See Mass Spectrometry Core for details and access.

Typhoon multimode imager (Amersham/GE Healthcare): a “four-instruments-in-one” imager that can image gels, membranes, multi-well plates, dishes, and tissue sections, and offers precise quantitation of fluorescent, color-stained, and radiolabeled biomolecules like proteins and nucleic acids. Access is available via Idea Elan Infinity scheduling. Location: Lab C424.

Nexcelom Celigo high content imaging cytometer (Perlin Laboratory). The Nexcelom Celigo is a plate-based benchtop brightfield and fluorescent imaging system designed for whole-well live-cell analysis and cell sample characterization. Celigo images and analyzes cells in various types of vessels including 6 – 1536 well plates, T25, T75 flasks, 10 cm dishes, and glass slides without disturbing their natural state. Location: Lab B514

Agilent Cytation C10. The Cytation C10 confocal imaging reader combines automated confocal and widefield microscopy with conventional multimode microplate reading. Cytation C10 support multiple plate sizes and has temperature control.Location: Lab C424.

Perkin Elmer IVIS In Vivo Multispectral (MS) Lumina X5 imager with x-ray, bioluminescence, fluorescence, and radioisotopic imaging capabilities.

VisualSonics VEVO 3100 Small Animal Ultrasound Imaging System

PIXImus small animal Densitometer. Measure Bone densitometry and body composition measurement using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). See Animal Facility Core for details and access.

Leica Stellaris 8 confocal microscope for intravital imaging

CDI is part of the National Cancer Institute-designated Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, and additional microscopy and imaging resources are available and can be accessed here.

Fees and Scheduling

Investigators, once they have completed the mandatory initial training for a given instrument, are then free to book time on the instrument through the Idea Elan portal.