Fluorescence Microscopy and Cell Imaging

Project Summary/Abstract - FLUORESCENCE MICROSCOPY & CELL IMAGING SHARED RESOURCE The UNMCCC Fluorescence Microscopy & Cell Imaging Shared Resource (Microscopy) supports basic and translational cancer research by providing state-of-the-art instrumentation and software for quantitative, multi scale, and multi-modal fluorescence imaging, to UNMCCC members and non-member users. Faculty Director Diane Lidke, Ph.D. (CMO) supervises the Resource, which is operated by Michael Paffett, Ph.D., a full-time staff with broad expertise in fluorescence microscopy instrumentation. The UNMCCC Research Administration manages the Resource, which provides access to 11 commercial instruments for fluorescence, phase or brightfield imaging, as well as multiple software platforms for image analysis. In addition, CCC members have access to the Super-Resolution Core, directed by Keith Lidke, Ph.D. (CMO) that houses cutting-edge and developmental instrumentation for single molecule, super-resolution and hyperspectral imaging. The Super Resolution core is further supported by Michael Wester, Ph.D. who is an expert in single molecule image analysis. This partnership provides UNMCCC members with technologies not available at other Cancer Centers and the opportunity to develop new imaging and analysis approaches to specifically address outstanding questions in cancer biology. The expense and significant expertise required to purchase, maintain and operate such a diverse suite of instrumentation, is prohibitive for most users and underscores the value added by the Resource. Microscopy actively facilitates and disseminates information about new cellular imaging technologies by maintaining an up-to-date web page and by giving presentations at UNMCCC meetings and retreats. Resource faculty and staff also contribute to multiple education activities, including courses focused on microscopy that attract graduate students and postdocs from UNMCCC member labs. Reservations, billing and usage are tracked through a centralized on-line system. During the previous 5-year project period, 59 UNMCCC member laboratories from three UNMCCC Research Programs used the Resource, resulting in 67 publications. In the previous period, UNMCCC members were responsible for 61% of total Resource usage by billing and were supported by 132 peer-reviewed grants and 8 UNMCCC pilot projects.