The Optical Imaging Core of the Washington University Center for Translational Neuroscience (WUCTN) willallow members of the Neuroscience community to expand already successful projects and initiate newprojects, especially in the area of bioluminescence. While there are presently a variety of optical imagingfacilities within the medical center and main campus, these have not been available to the largerneuroscience community because they have only limited technical support. To accomplish its goals, theCore will coordinate already existing resources at Washington University for confocal and two-photonmicroscopy by neuroscientists and also establish new low-light level imaging capabilities. Access to theOptical Imaging Core Facilities will be extended to Washington University neuroscientists at three separatelocations. Two facilities will be housed at the Medical Campus (WUMS) and one at the Undergraduatecampus (WU). All three facilities will offer instruction and supervision for the different microscopy methodssupported. The Optical Imaging Core will offer facilities for:1. Confocal microscopy for high resolution imaging of fluorescent probes. This includes the imagingand differentiation of variants of GFP (such as YFP, CFP, eGFP), and more red-shifted dyes (Cy5) inboth living and fixed preparations.2. Two-photon microscopy for deep tissue imaging, including in vivo and in vitro time-series measures.Use of the 2-photon technique will minimize damage due to repeated imaging.3. Low-light imaging of fluorescent and bioluminescent reporters. This includes real-time imaging ofgene activity using luciferase constructs and of other cellular events using novel transgenic reportersin cultured cells, in tissue slices and in whole small animals.4. Technical support for the neuroscientists to ensure the efficient creation of high quality images forquantitative image analysis and ultimately publication. This includes training, education, softwaredevelopment, data management and maintenance of imaging equipment and materials.22 of the 54 projects described involve clinically-relevant studies, and most of the others address hypothesesthat directly inform translational research. Significantly several projects involve new experimental directionsand collaborations that will be enabled and facilitated by access to these Core facilities.
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