Modern cancer research requires state-of-the-art cell and tissue imaging technology. These techniquesinclude immunolocalization studies at both the light and electron microscopic levels, live cell studies usingmolecules tagged with fluorescent probes and introduced by transfection or microinjection, and advancedimage recording and analysis. Sophisticated imaging instruments such as electron microscopes, confocaland multi-photon microscopes are not only very expensive, but also require technical assistance for optimalresults. For these reasons, it is essential to have a core imaging facility that provides access to both theinstruments and technical expertise. Established more than 20 years ago as a departmental service, the CellImaging Facility has evolved into a Medical School Core Facility that receives support from the medicalschool, the Vice President for Research at NU, and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center. TheFacility's Director, Dr. Teng-Leong Chew, Ph.D., is an expert in light microscopic imaging, especially inadvanced live cell fluorescence microscopy. A full time electron microscope technologist is also available toperform routine cell and tissue embedding and sectioning as well as advanced techniques such as immunogoldlocalization, and to train users in these techniques. The facility serves several hundred users from morethan 100 research groups throughout the University. Due to the unique expertise as well as the staffscommitment to developing cutting-edge imaging application, the facility has been selected by numerousleading manufacturers as the beta test sites for their instruments and software. More importantly, the facilityhas been recognized as one of the three National Imaging Centers of Excellence by Nikon, thus benefitingNorthwestern immensely through Nikon's gift of several state-of the-art equipments. Approximately 50percent of total facility usage has been by Cancer Center members with peer reviewed funding. Equipmentincludes two transmission electron microscopes, two confocal microscopes, one spinning disc confocal, totalinternal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscope, three advanced light microscopes with digital imagingsystems and capabilities that include microinjection, epifluoresence, time lapse photography, calciumimaging, FRAP, and FRET. Ancillary equipment includes rotary shadowing evaporators, microtomes, colorprinters, digital scanner, film recorder, dark room, and computers and software for image analysis.
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