organisation - the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência

CELL IMAGING
UNIT
José Feijó Head
PhD in Cell Biology, Universidade de Lisboa, 1995
PI of Cell Biophysics and Development Group
Head of Facility since 2003
link to facility website
The main goal of the Cell Imaging Unit is to provide access to high-end technology
and cutting-edge technical support for bioscience research. We provide
a unique facility that allows ready access to a wide range of technologies and
expertise in an integrated manner that helps drive research forward efficiently.
The unit currently stands as an international reference laboratory for confocal
and multi-photon microscopy, as well as for high-throughput cell sorting.
The unit is well equipped, with two cell sorters, three confocal microscopes,
a DeltaVision deconvolution microscope system and two multi-photon microscopes,
besides a dozen more subsidiary and custom-made pieces of equipment.
Researchers are trained through regular workshops on basic and advanced light
microscopy techniques as well as in flow cytometry and image acquisition software.
Technical assistance is available when necessary to ensure collection of
high quality images and analysis of data. All users receive basic training in the
systems in use, in troubleshooting, and advice on experimental design. We have
developed a strong and broad base of users and continue to train new users.
Because microscopy is currently in high demand and new systems and techniques
are continuously being developed to meet increasing scientific needs, we try to
expand the facilities, to keep accessibility problems low, and introduce the latest
innovations (in microscopy and flow cytometry) to the research community.
FACILITY STAFF
Carlos Tadokoro (Multi-photon Microscopy Applications Manager /
Research Fellow)
Rui Gardner (Flow Cytometry Lab Manager)
Nuno Moreno (General Coordinator Microscopy)
Telma Lopes (Technician - Cell Sorting)
Francisco Henrique (Technician - Microscopy)
Pedro Almada (Technician - Microscopy)
MAJOR PROJECTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
INTEGRATION OF A SCREENING MICROSCOPE
This microscope is fully automated and works with open source software, being
a good platform for on-the-fly analysis. The equipment uses fast filter wheels
and shutters which, together with a sensitive CCD camera, enable three colour
images in a 96 well plate in few minutes. For now, it has been used for automatic
stitching, producing images of full brain mice or fish slices.
UPGRADE OF MULTIPHOTON MICROSCOPY SYSTEM
The installation of a Prairie Ultima multiphoton microscope proceeded, with
individual user training being provided. A guidebook for correct use of this
microscope was developed, and technical support for microscope adjustment
to individual scientific projects (different types of samples) was carried out.
EQUIPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE
INSPECTION WIDE-FIELD LIGHT MICROSCOPES
• Olympus BH2;
• Olympus IMT-2;
• Leica DMLB2.
RESEARCH WIDEFIELD LIGHT MICROSCOPES
• Leica inverted DMIRE2;
• Leica upright DMRA2;
• Zeiss AxioImager M1.
Funding Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia,
Portugal
CONFOCAL MICROSCOPES
• Leica SP5 (with resonant fast scanhead);
• Zeiss LSM 510 (with Meta detector);
• Andor Spinning disk (with EM-CCD intensified camera).
Funding Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
(FCT), Portugal, European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO).
TwoCellEmbryos - Mouse embryos at the two-cell stage.
IGC ANNUAL REPORT ‘11
FACILITIES AND SERVICES
89