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΢ÃÜȦ College

Penium: a new unicellular model plant

Facilities

Most our experiments are performed in the ΢ÃÜȦ Microscopy Image Center (SMIC), a core technology facility composed of five modern laboratories in the Dana Science Complex that support light microscopy, confocal laser scanningmicroscopy (CLSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and a variety of ancillary instruments used for the preparation of specimens.

 

Lintilhac Light Microscopy Laboratory

Our light microscopy laboratory contains three microscopy work stations:

  • Olympus BX63 light microscope with time-lapse function, with DIC and fluorescence optics (UV, blue and green filters), and an Olympus DP80 digital camera system.

  • Olympus IX83 inverted light microscope with time-lapse function, with DIC and fluorescence optics (UV, blue and green filters), and an Olympus DP80 digital camera system

  • Olympus BX-60 light microscope equipped with DIC and fluorescence optics and an Olympus DP73 digital camera for high-resolution imaging and video recording.

  • Olympus IX-70 inverted light microscope with phase and fluorescence optics and an Olympus DP70 digital camera for high-resolution imaging and video recording. This workstation is also equipped with a Narashige micromanipulator and microinjector for cell processing and injections.

  • Olympus SXZ-12 light microscope equipped with DIC and fluorescence optics and an Olympus DP73 digital camera for high-resolution imaging and video recording. 

Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy Laboratory 

fv1000confocal

Olympus Fluoview 1000 confocal laser scanning microscope: This state-of-the-art confocal microscope is the latest addition to SMIC.

  • Specifications                  
    • Spectral and filter scan units
    • five laser channels
    • High-sensitivity GaAsP detector for imaging low-level fluorescence
    • SIM scanner for simultaneous photostimulation during time-lapse imaging
    • Enhanced, reliable objectives for live cell imaging
    • High-precision focus and Z-tracking through extended time-lapse imaging
    • 3D rendering and image analysis with advanced software
    • Spectral unmixing for separating similar fluorophores

  • Applications               
    • Multidimensional time-lapse imaging of live cells/organisms
    • High-resolution 3D rendering of Z-stack images
    • FRET and FRAP technologies
    • Multi-laser combiner for simultaneous imaging of up to five different fluorophores
    • DIC imaging
    • Multi-point, tile and mapping scans
    • 3D mosaic imaging

Scanning Electron Microscopy Laboratory

FSEM

SPECIFICATIONS OF FEI QUATTRO S FESEM:

Illumination system: Field emission gun

Accelerating voltage: 0.2KV-30KV

Multi-purpose Sample Holder: simultaneous loading of 18 standard samples (ø 12 mm), three 45Ëš pre-tilted samples, and two row bars (vertical, and 52Ëš pre-tilted).

Detectors: conventional Everhart-Thornley SE detector with variable grid bias (high-Vacuum mode)
                    low-vacuum mode gaseous SE detector 
                    ESEM mode gaseous SE detector
                    Retractable Directional Back-scatter (DBS) Detector
                    Retractable STEM 3+ Detector

 Modes: High-vacuum mode, low-vacuum mode, ESEM mode

Cooling Stage: temperature range from -20oC to 60oC. 

X-ray Microanalysis: Thermo Scientific EDS UltraDry 60M (129 eV)
                                     -Retractable UltraDry Premium EDS detector
                                     -Active area of 60 mm2 and 129 eV energy resolution at Mn k-alpha
                                     -Norvar window with proprietary evacuated tube design for detection sensitivity to Be
                                     -Analyzer electronics with up to 1,000,000 x-ray input counts per second and 300,000 x-ray                                            output counts per second.

Transmission Electron Microscopy Laboratory

TEM

SPECIFICATIONS OF THE HITACHI HT7800 PREMIUM 120KV TEM:

Illumination System:
W or LaB6 Filament
Accelerating Voltage:
120 kV maximum
Magnification range: x50 - x600,000
Special features:

Hitachi's unique "Dual Mode" compound objective lens provides both high contrast
and high resolution (HC/HR) modes exchangeable by one selection in the software;

High resolution and advanced optimization of contrast;

Eucentric high performance stage 5-axis goniometer for ultra-stable operation and
tilting;

Software and control panel driven z-height adjustment for efficient eucentric;

Microprocessor-controlled, differential turbo molecular pump evacuation system to
guarantee fast pump-down times and a ultra clean column vacuum;

Advanced image navigation and storage of positions, tilt angles and orientations;

Microtrace function indicating examined and unexamined areas of the specimen;

EMIP software to automatically archive all saved images and imaging data for ease
of access/analysis

EMIP-3D tomography system and FBP reconstruction method

Sample holder:

HT7800-MS2 Three Specimen One Touch Single Tilt Holder
   - High-throughput three specimen holder
   - Cantilever style retainer for ease of use and quick sample loading
   - Three grid positions selectable through software for precise and efficient sample

HT7800-SS Single Tilt Holder
   - Ultra-stable +/-70 degree high tilt holder for single specimen
   - Tomography holder

HT7800-RS Rotation Holder
   - Software controlled rotation of grid cradle
   - Suitable for dual-axis tomography analysis

Digital camera:

AMT BioSprint16 High Definition Camera

   - 16 Megapixel Scientific CCD
   - High Speed Readout
   - Anti-Blooming Sensor
   - High Performance ActiveVu Lens
   - Low noise readout
   - 80 MHz maximum at 16 bits
   - 25 fps at 4x4 binning full field
   - Wide-angle low-mount custom designed lens
   - 4896 x 3264 pixel wtih 9.5um square pixels at phosphor
   

  •  

Ancillary Equipment

  • Two ultramicrotomes: Reichert Ultracut E and Leica
  • Sputter coater
  • carbon coater
  • Critical point dryer
  • LKB knife maker
  • Gene gun

Equipment is also available for freeze spraying, freeze slamming, freeze substitution  and low-temperature plastic embedding.