Overview
Advanced cellular imaging techniques allow researchers to visualize cells, ex vivo tissues, and interior structures within living animals with incredible detail and in real-time. This capacity opens up new pathways for discovery across basic and translational research, allowing better understanding of human diseases. The mission of the Bioimaging Core is to make state-of-the-art imaging technologies available to researchers.
Services
Microscopy & Imaging Services
The Core provides comprehensive support for all imaging platforms, including light-sheet, confocal, TIRF, widefield, and long-term live-cell imaging systems. Users receive guidance on fluorophore selection, optical configurations, and imaging strategies tailored to their biological questions. Assisted imaging is available for complex imaging, and the Core offers expertise in data acquisition, quantitative 3D/4D analysis, stitching, deconvolution, segmentation, and generation of publication-ready figures and movies.Training and Certification for Independent Use
The Core offers structured training and certification programs to ensure that researchers can operate microscopes independently and safely. New users receive hands-on instruction covering sample preparation, instrument setup, imaging optimization, and data management. Certification is granted once users demonstrate proficiency in instrument operation and adherence to Core policies and best practices. This process enables qualified users to reserve microscopes for unassisted use, ensuring high-quality data and consistent experimental performance across all platforms.Tissue Clearing and 3D Immunolabeling Services
Large-volume tissue clearing and immunolabeling are performed by the Manager using the Lifecanvas SmartBatch+ system, which automates all steps from SHIELD preservation to refractive-index matching. The system processes up to twelve organs or thick tissues simultaneously with precise temperature and fluidic control, resulting in uniformly cleared and labeled samples ready for downstream imaging. These workflows support whole-brain and spinal cord clearing, DRG and peripheral nerve studies, tumor microenvironment mapping, vascular and lymphatic imaging, organoid analysis, and other applications requiring intact-tissue 3D molecular profiling.