Facility Details

Cell and Molecular Imaging (CMI) Core D provides COBRE investigators access and assistance for high end laser scanning confocal/multiphoton/super-resolution microscopy and related imaging techniques. Core D houses five confocal/multiphoton systems: 1) a state-of-the-art Zeiss LSM 880 NLO Quasar confocal/multiphoton microscope with a Fast Airyscan super-resolution detector; 2) an Olympus FV1200 silicone oil optics multiphoton microscope configured especially for intravital imaging; 3) an Olympus FV10i LIV confocal microscope with water immersion optics for live cell imaging; 4) a Zeiss LSM 510 META laser scanning confocal microscope for general purpose imaging of live and fixed specimens; and 5) a BD CARV II disk-scanning confocal microscope for video rate “real-time” confocal imaging. Major recent upgrades include Fast Airyscan for the Zeiss LSM 880 for super-resolution imaging, a near UV laser upgrade for the Zeiss LSM 510 to permit imaging of DAPI and other blue-emitting fluorophores, and the acquisition of Bitplane Imaris software for 3- and 4-D visualization of image data sets. The Core together with the Drug Discovery Core at MUSC is currently preparing a Shared Instrumentation Grant (SIG) S10 application to secure a high content automated imager for submission in May, 2019, which would greatly help the drug discovery efforts of several current and graduated COBRE investigators.

In 2018-2019, CMI held workshops on newly acquired and emerging technologies, including “Zeiss Celldiscoverer 7: A New Platform for Automated Live Cell Imaging for Drug Discovery” (March 14, 2018), “Simplifying High Content Analysis for Cell Biology and Drug Development” (April 16), Imaris Image Visualization & Analysis Workshop” (June 4-5), “Zeiss Fast Airyscan Super-Resolution Microscopy” (November 26), “Streamline Imaging and Analysis with a Single Platform” (December 20), and “Current Landscape of Biological Testing using High Content Analysis” (January 31, 2019).

To ensure that COBRE members are expertly trained in cell and molecular imaging, especially as it relates to oxidative stress and redox signaling biology, the Core also organizes a biennial Charleston Workshop on Light Microscopy for the Biosciences (LMB), which will next be held June 9-14, 2019. Participation of COBRE investigators and their personnel is given priority. The 7th LMB Workshop will provide a solid introduction to the concepts and practical applications of light microscopy relevant to modern cell and molecular biology. Students will have opportunities for extensive hands-on experience with state-of-the-art equipment for optical imaging, digital image processing, fluorescence, confocal/multiphoton microscopy and super-resolution microscopy guided by experienced academic and commercial faculty. Commercial faculty representing leading microscope manufacturers will make available for students use of the latest and most advanced instrumentation for light microscopy, image detection and computerized image analysis. The keynote speaker and invited faculty for the workshop will be Dr. Eeva-Liisa Eskelinen of the University of Turku, who will give presentations on “Correlative Light-Electron Microscopy (CLEM)”.

By providing sophisticated imaging technologies, expertise and training, CMI promotes the success of the individual COBRE projects and also provides training and assistance to junior investigators studying oxidative stress and stress signaling related to the overall theme of the COBRE.