MRC National Institute for Medical Research, London
Science for Health
Confocal microscopy imaging
The Confocal Imaging and Analysis Laboratory (CIAL) provides a core imaging and support facility for NIMR scientists. The facility has six confocal microscopes, three wide-field fluorescence microscopes, four offline workstations, a data storage system, and image processing software such as Volocity, Imaris, Image J, Metamorph and MatLab.
Currently the facility is used by more than 160 scientists from 15 Divisions. Users operate the equipment by themselves, but the complexity of imaging makes support an extremely important part of the facility. We routinely provide users with training, troubleshooting, consultation and microscope maintenance. In 2009, we also provided special techniques such as thick tissue imaging, 2nd harmonic generation imaging, spectral unmixing of multiple labelling, quantitative imaging, deconvolution imaging, and automatic cell counting.
Research and expertise
Research in CIAL focuses on the technological development of biological microscopy and image processing methodologies that bring benefits to NIMR scientists. These include techniques of intravital imaging, super resolution imaging, correlative microscopy, high throughput imaging, automatic cell segmentation and tracking.
The lab has expertise in sample preparation and labelling, live and fixed sample imaging, and in hardware and software development. In 2009, we have carried on nine projects and research collaborations, covering new imaging techniques, microscope improvements, and image enhancement and quantification.
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Green, red, purple, and grey-level in the image correspond to positive labeling of transcription factors including Nkx2.2, Olig2, and Pax6, and DNA in nuclear respectively. Courtesy of Ana Ribeiro
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2nd harmonic generation image (red) of the non-labelled muscle, and GFP-labelled neural network (green) in an adult mouse gut. Courtesy of Reena Lasrado.
Selected publications
- D. Zhu, S. Jarmin, A. Ribeiro, F. Prin, S.Q. Xie, K. Sullivan, J. Briscoe, A.P. Gould,
F.M. Marelli-Berg & Y. Gu. (2010)
Applying an adaptive watershed to the tissue cell quantification during T-cell migration and embryonic development
Methods in Molecular Biology 616,
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