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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.
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