Confocal Core for the Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology

Division Of Basic Sciences - Nci

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

During FY2025, the LCMB Microscopy Core provided access to high-resolution fluorescence microscopy for several research groups across NCI and other institutes at NIH. Within NCI, a lion's share of the work time was consumed by members of the seven research groups which are part of Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology. All the Principal Investigators in LCMB have projects that involve the Core facility. Research members of Dr. Lawrence Samelson's group made use of the scanning confocal microscope at the LCMB Core for the projects understanding molecular and biochemical basis of T cell activation. Of particular interest for these members was the use of high lateral resolution of the microscope in combination with the newly installed deconvolution module for imaging cell synapses. Members from Dr. Stavroula Mili's research group used both the scanning confocal microscope for imaging fixed samples as well as the spinning disk confocal microscope for single-molecule tracking experiments, studying regulation and functions of localized RNAs. Dr. Paul Randazzo's research group members primarily used the scanning confocal microscope for large scale tiled imaging of fixed cell samples to study effects of Arf proteins on Actin cytoskeleton formation/dissociation and their interactions with focal adhesions, enabling cell migration and movement. Similarly, researchers from Dr. Ramiro Iglesias-Bartolome and Dr. Andres Lebensohn's groups also primarily relied on the scanning confocal microscope at the LCMB Microscopy Core for imaging experiments within their projects: 1) signaling pathways regulating stem cell fate decisions and G-protein-coupled receptor signaling in cancer development and treatment and 2) studying the WNT pathways and other cancer cell signaling systems that control pattern and morphogenesis, respectively. Members of Dr. Roberto Weigert's group used the spinning disk microscope for their work involving intravital confocal microscopy on mice studying cancer biology. During the current review period, the microscopes at the LCMB Microscopy Core were also used by scientists from Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression of NCI, Pediatric Oncology Branch at NCI, and the Department of Laboratory Medicine of the NIH Clinical Center. Core instruments were also used in collaborative research work of Core personnel with scientists at Rosalind Franklin University at Chicago.