Imaging Core Unit

National Eye Institute

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

The four Units of the NEI Imaging Core include 1) Confocal Microscopy, 2) Ocular Histology, 3) Transmission Electron Microscopy and 4) Biological Structure-Protein Structure. These units provide NEI Intramural scientists access to a wide variety of cutting edge techniques, instrumentation and training. The Confocal Microscopy unit specializes in high resolution imaging and analysis applications including confocal microscopy (Nikon A1R Resonance Scanning Confocal with AI-based Denoising, Zeiss LSM 700, Zeiss LSM 880 Airy-Scan, Olympus FV1000 and Leica SP8 laser scanning confocal microscope systems). In addition to confocal applications, the Leica SP8 Resonant scanning system utilizes a Spectra Physics Mai Tai "Deep-See" TiSapphire femptosecond laser which has dramatically expanded opportunities for imaging ocular tissues at greater depths and with reduced photo-damage. The Ocular Histology Unit provides accurate and efficient preparation and analysis of tissue samples embedded in paraffin, methyl methacrylate and OCT. The automated slide scanning capabilities of the unit support automated imaging of numerous samples. The staff of the Histology Unit provide expert analysis of normal and pathological ocular tissues. The Biological Structure-Protein Structure unit excels at custom protein purification and crystallization and offers investigators options for elucidating protein structure by X-ray crystallography or single particle cryo EM. A shared goal of the 4 units is to pair state-of-the-art instrumentation with novel imaging approaches and analysis in order to leverage studies with the potential for significant clinical application.