About

Turret of BX50 Olympus MicroscopeThe Biology Department’s Proteomics and Imaging Core Facility is managed by Dr. Todd Blute and is located in LSEB on the fourth and sixth floors (24 Cummington). The imaging systems available range from epifluorescent microscopes with CCD cameras to laser scanning confocal light microscopes, both of these platforms are available on upright and inverted microscopes. There is also a JEOL 2010 high voltage electron microscope.  Additionally, a flow cytometer (not suited for sorting) is available for the quantitation of suspension samples. There is a GenePix 4000B microarray scanner for protein and DNA microarrays. There is a fluorescent plate reader / luminometer with multicolor and kinetic capability for quantifying fluorescence from samples in 1-well to 1536-well format samples. Additionally, there is the proteomic large format 2-Dimensional gel electrophoresis system and Ettan Spot picking robot. We have recently acquired a DIGE- enabled Typhoon fluorescent scanner for gels and membranes. There is also the genomics portion of the facility located on the sixth floor of LSEB which includes two quantitative real-time PCR machines.

The laboratory associated with this facility (LSEB 452) provides support for all aspects of light and electron microscopy, including the initial specimen preparation, thick sectioning, and production of publication quality photographic prints. Dr. Blute is an expert in all aspects of microscopy, photography and advanced biological research methods. His time and expertise are available to the faculty. Access to this equipment is provided with differing levels of fees and training requirements.

This facility does the following:

  • Teach both introductory and advanced microscopic techniques
  • Train graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in the use of the electron and confocal microscopes
  • On-Demand visualization of samples
  • Assist faculty with planning and executing their research projects
  • Instruction in immunocytochemical methods design and troubleshooting
  • Image processing and data analysis planning and validations
  • Assist with small animal surgery to obtain material for microscopic analysis
  • Preparation of tissues and organs for confocal and electron microscopy, including fixation, infiltration, embedding, microtomy and staining
  • Analysis and photographic documentation of light microscopic sections or electron microscopic grids