We provide members of the University and their visitors with a wide spectrum of microscopy equipment and extensive training in its use. The facility comprises two parts: the light microscopy facility, housed in the Bronk Laboratory (DWB 201), and the electron microscopy unit, housed in the Rockefeller Research Building (RRB 120).

Light microscopy

The light microscopy center was only established in February 2001 and therefore the equipment is all state-of-the-art. We are keen to receive input from all Rockefeller University researchers to enable us to address as many of their needs as possible. The staff of the center actively develop and maintain a number of wide-field and confocal fluorescence microscopes and advise users on which instrument is most suitable for their needs. Consultation on sample preparation and immunolabelling procedures is also provided and aliquots of a range of fluorescent probes are available for testing. Researchers are trained to use the microscopes and image acquisition software themselves, with staff assistance when necessary to ensure collection of high quality images. Data can then be processed in the neighbouring image processing suite (DWB 203) for export into the required format. Research can also be performed on a collaborative basis with the staff of the center.

Electron microscopy

The electron microscopy staff are highly experienced in processing biological samples such as tissues, cultured cells and subcellular fractions for morphologic analysis by transmission electron microscopy. Special techniques that can be applied to suitable samples include negative staining, rotary shadowing of macromolecules and immuno-electron microscopy. A scanning electron microscope has recently been installed and is now available for use. The electron microscopy unit is run mainly as a drop-off service, though experienced users are permitted to use both ultramicrotomes and electron microscopes, with training and assistance when required.

Image: Live Xenopus tadpole expressing a transgenic GFP marker for the nervous system. 30 tiled stacks were collected using a Zeiss LSM 510 confocal microscope, allowing the entire embryo to be visualized. Ignacio Munoz-sanjuan, Alison North and Ali Hemmati-Brivanlou (Rockefeller University), in collaboration with Nick Marsh-Armstrong (Johns Hopkins)