The Optical Imaging & Vital Microscopy (OiVM) Core provides state-of-the-art instrumentation and cutting-edge imaging/image analysis tools for the research applications of a broad range of Baylor College of Medicine investigators. This core is dedicated to vital and intravital imaging of cellular processes within cells, intact tissue explants, developing embryos and functioning organs within the live animal. Our users are focused on a variety of applications such as understanding cell migration, optimizing angiogenic therapies, how blood flow influences development and cancer, immune cell recruitment, stem cell-niche interactions and cancer metastasis.

We perform mRNA or microRNA in situ hybridization on tissue sections. The ISH is performed on a liquid handling robot that can handle up to 196 slides per experiment and we can develop the signal with chromogenic or fluorescent methods.
We can also assist with rodent dissections and embedding of tissue for local customers, and cryostat sectioning, mRNA probe production and imaging (whole slide scanning) for all customers.

Multiple proteomic platforms. MS based identification of protein complexes and PTMs.
Protein interactomes by BiFC technologies. Protein profiling differential expression by 2D gels and liquid chromatogrpahy, antibody and protein arrays and Luminex beads. Custom baculovirus recombinant protein expression/production and monoclonal antibody development and production.