What are we? The Digital and Confocal Microscopy Laboratory (DCML) is a research laboratory on the UAMS campus that operates and maintains computer controlled microscope workstations capable of static and time lapse imaging of living cells.

What do we do? We specialize in fluorescence imaging and can easily generate multicolor images from fixed and living samples. At present, all of our microscopes are inverted microscopes designed for analysis of living cells. However, we can look at fixed samples. The facility provides the State of Arkansas with much-needed infrastructure for competitive research and education in modern biological sciences. Our stated BRIN objectives are: (1) To provide facilities to study molecular structure, gene expression patterns, and image analysis of individual proteins in living cells and (2) to use the DCML to teach students and faculty about the dynamics of living cells.

What are our technical capabilities? We specialize in time lapse imaging of living cells over intervals ranging from minutes to days. We have both open dish and laminar flow perfusion systems with temperature and atmospheric controls. We can generate optical sections and multicolor 3 dimensional reconstructions from fixed cells. We have microinjection, ratio imaging, FRET and FRAP capabilities. We can also analyzes the dynamics of GFP, CFP and YFP fusion proteins in living cells by time lapse imaging.

What do we have? Presently, the laboratory houses a Zeiss LSM410 confocal microscope, two inverted fluorescence microscopes and an image analysis workstation. Each of the microscopes can be configured with environmental controls for time-lapse imaging. All are equipped with sensitive monochrome digital cameras. The confocal microscope is equipped with 3 PMT detectors for fluorescent signals and a silicon photodiode detector for transmitted light signals. The confocal microscope is also configured for pressure microinjection. One of the inverted microscopes is equipped with a motorized stage and laser scissors and laser tweezers.

What are our limitations? At present, we do not operate any color digital cameras and therefore can not easily generate images from sections processed by immunohistolochemical procedures and counterstained with histological dyes like H&E. We are presently purchasing an upright microscope workstation with this capability. We also lack 2-photon capability and are seeking to identify funding to support acquisition of a new confocal instrument.

What's the catch? We are a research facility and must support ourselves on research grants and user fees. Our survival dictates that we facilitate the collaborative research grant enterprise. This means that our efforts must be focused on projects with research grant funding or that have concrete plans for applying for research grants.

What do I need to make productive use or the facility? Most importantly, you need to have a defined experimental question appropriate for our instrumentation. We charge fees, but there is nothing for us in attempting studies unsuitable for the instrumentation. We'll talk to you about the suitability of our instrumentation to your problem and make recommendations if you aren't sure. For optimal results, your samples need to be flat and optically clear. Glass coverslips are the preferred substrates, but we can generate decent low magnification images from cells cultured on plastic dishes.

How are we supported? The DCML was developed with a combination of resources, including funds from NIH (1999 R24 grant to L. Lamps and M. Hauer-Jensen), NSF (1997 EPSCoR grant to M. Jennings), the Arkansas Cancer Research Center (including laboratory space), and institutional funds from UAMS and various departments. Richard Kurten became the director of the laboratory in September 2001. We are supported in part by the Arkansas BRIN (Larry Cornett PI) with the objective of providing and defining state-of-the-art biological imaging instrumentation for Arkansas researchers and with the objective of providing educational resources to institutions throughout Arkansas. Additional funding is currently provided by a NIH Research Support Grant (Laura Lamps PI) and by an NIH Program Project Grant (Sudhir Shah, PI).

How long does it take? Within about 2 hours, we can teach you how to collect multicolor images provided that you have had previous experience fluorescence microscopy. Then you will need to spend some time on the microscope to reinforce and refine your skills.

What can I do to help? We are very interested in the concept of remote microscopy via internet connections to achieve our objective of providing educational resources to institutions throughout Arkansas. If you are interested in a collaborative effort to develop this capability, please contact us.

Psuedocoloring Multichannel Confocal Images:

Raw RGB Image

Red Fluorescence Channel

Green Fluorescence Channel

Blue Transmitted Light Channel

Psuedocolored RGB Image