Overview of the WUCCI

The Washington University Center for Cellular Imaging (WUCCI) is a university‑wide shared technology and innovation hub dedicated to advancing multi‑scale imaging in biomedical research. Established in 2015 through collaboration between the Departments of Neuroscience and Cell Biology & Physiology, the Center provides access to advanced imaging technologies, expert consultation, training, and collaborative partnerships across the School of Medicine and Washington University research community.

WUCCI’s mission is to support discovery in cellular structure, function, and human disease by providing:
- Reliable and affordable access to state‑of‑the‑art light and electron microscopy platforms
- Professional guidance in experimental design, sample preparation, data acquisition, and quantitative image analysis
- Hands‑on training in basic and advanced imaging methodologies
- Development and application of emerging imaging technologies and workflows
- A collaborative environment that integrates imaging, computation, and biological research

WUCCI‑Couch Facility
The primary WUCCI site is located in the Debra and George W. Couch III Biomedical Research Building and encompasses ~7,600 sq ft of purpose‑designed microscopy, sample‑prep, and analysis space.

Key Facility Features:
Light Microscopy Suites:
- Eighteen imaging workstations across three dedicated rooms
- Confocal, resonant‑scanning confocal, spinning‑disk confocal, and super‑resolution systems (e.g., Nikon N‑SIM)
- Live‑cell imaging platforms with advanced laser lines, spectral detection, and environmental control

Electron Microscopy Suites:
- Multiple electron microscopes supporting a wide range of voltages and imaging applications
- Full EM sample‑prep infrastructure, including freezing labs, wet‑lab prep spaces, and resin‑ and cryogenic ultramicrotomy suites

Additional Infrastructure:
- Tissue culture suite
- Short‑term live‑animal imaging space (<24 hrs)
- Ten‑desk high‑performance image‑analysis room
- Equipment‑maintenance workshop
- Staff offices, multi‑purpose classroom, and user break area

Capabilities:
- Light microscopy, electron microscopy, and multi‑modal workflows
- Correlated light and electron microscopy (CLEM)
- Correlated volume electron microscopy (cvEM)
- Whole‑cell and tissue ultrastructure mapping
- Protein and probe localization
- High‑resolution 3D ultrastructural dataset acquisition
- Integration of dynamic fluorescence imaging with ultrastructural EM data

WUCCI‑Neuro at The Fort (2023–Present)
Opened in 2023 within the Fort Neuroscience Research Building, WUCCI‑Neuro expands capacity for advanced neuroscience‑focused imaging.

Facility Highlights:
- ~2,600 sq ft optimized for neurobiology research
- Six optical systems including confocal, resonant‑scanning confocal, spinning‑disk confocal, and a dedicated multiphoton in‑vivo imaging suite
- Tissue culture facilities
- Wet‑lab space for tissue clearing workflows
- Four high‑performance analysis workstations

Training & Education:
- Introductory and advanced training for light, electron, and multi‑modal systems
- Workshops, symposia, and user‑group meetings
- Specialized programs including cryo‑EM and quantitative imaging

Research Support:
- Assistance with experimental design, sample preparation, and data acquisition
- Support for fixed‑cell and live‑cell imaging
- Advanced computational analysis
- Development of custom workflows and visualization strategies

Facility Access:
- Instrument scheduling and service requests via iLab
- 24/7 access for trained users
- Weekday staff support

History, Growth & Vision:
- 2015 — WUCCI was established as a centralized imaging center
- 2023 — Opening of WUCCI‑Neuro at The Fort
- 2024–present — Ongoing expansion of imaging systems, computational resources, and educational programs

Summary Statement:
WUCCI provides comprehensive imaging technologies, expertise, and training to enable investigators to explore cellular and tissue architecture across scales. Through integrated light, electron, cryogenic, and correlative imaging—combined with computational and educational resources—WUCCI accelerates discovery and deepens understanding of human health and disease.

Core services range from simple protein identification to quantification of proteins (relative and absolute) through bottom-up proteomics analyses. Offers intact, native, and top-down proteomics analyses. Provides comprehensive global quantitative analysis of post-translational modifications (PTMs) such as phosphorylation, ubiquitination, acetylation, and methylation, as well as epiproteomics histone PTM assays.

Core provides training and expertise on culturing human pluripotent cells and their downstream derivatives.