NICHD Microscopy and Imaging Core Facility

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute Of Child Health & Human Development

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Light microscopy The MIC is equipped with six point scanning confocal microscopes: 1) a Zeiss 800 for regular and tiled imaging, 2) a Zeiss 900 equipped with an entry-level Airyscan detector, 3) a Zeiss 880 AiryScan with a spectral detector and a full-feature Airyscan unit and 4) a Zeiss LSM 980 Airyscan with spectral and infra-red capabilities. The core also operates a high-end Leica Stellaris with a white light laser, 3-color super-resolution STED and fluorescence lifetime imaging. A Nikon Spinning Disk / Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) instrument, together with two automatic slide scanners and a wide-field microscope, round up the light microscopy equipment. For image processing and data analysis, ImageJ, Zeiss Zen, Nikon Elements, and Bitplane Imaris are available on a high-end workstation. The light microscopy branch continues to operate in a semi-assisted way: after an initial orientation, each new project is researched by the staff who propose the best approach. Users then receives hands-on training on the sample preparation and imaging equipment and techniques best suited to their goals. The staff follow users through benchwork and data acquisition, then devise solutions and train users on how to extract usable data from their images. Due to their complexity, the two slides scanners are operated solely by Dr. Schram, a free service heavily used by multiple investigators. Tissue preparation Dr. Ling continues to provide histology and sample preparation services for the Core. During the past 12 months, 46 scientists were trained in-person in rodent perfusion, cryopreservation and cryosectioning, microtome and vibratome sectioning, tissue dissection, paraffin tissue processing, tissue clearing, immunofluorescence and RNA staining. 41 instances of perfusion, cryo-sectioning and immunofluorescence services (direct sample processing) were rendered to research groups from NICHD and other Institutes. Dr. Ling continues to maintain and train users on the paraffin-embedding Leica Pegasus tissue processor and companion chromogenic staining bench, which is actively used by several groups. In parallel to this, she further developed cyclic immunofluorescence, tissue clearing and autofluorescence quenching protocols, and contributed to the MIC annual workshop on microscopy. Electron microscopy The electron microscopy branch of the facility processes specimens from start to finish: fixation, embedding, semi-thin and ultra-thin sectioning, staining and imaging on the JEOL 1400 transmission electron microscope. In the past 12 months, Mr. Dye processed a total of 525 resin (sample) blocks for 8 investigators, started two ongoing immuno-EM, one Tokuyasu and one CLEM study. Publications Since its inception in 2004, the work carried out in the MIC has been included in more than 278 publications. For a complete list, head to: https://www.nichd.nih.gov/about/org/dir/other-facilities/cores/microscopyandimaging/publications