Microscopy Facility

Ellen Heber-Katz, Ph.D., Director
James Hayden, B.A., R.B.P., F.B.C.A, Manager

Microscopy Core Facility
Room B78
3601 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Telephone (215)898-3887

Introduction

The primary goal of the Microscopy Facility is to provide first class microscopy and imaging services for members of the Wistar research community as well as individual access to a wide variety of state-of-the-art imaging resources. The imaging systems have been designed to be extremely flexible in anticipation of a broad range of challenging specimens. Each system provides a combination of illumination, optics and image capture options. Diverse subjects ranging from GFP mice to Drosophila adults and embryos to fluorescently labeled cell cultures can be accommodated with available equipment. Current equipment includes standard upright and inverted microscopes, special low magnification (photomacrography) systems, laser scanning confocal microscopes, laser capture microdissection (LCM) equipment and transmission electron microscopy facilities. Users of the facility may be trained for unassisted use of all core assets, or they may elect assisted service with the facility staff performing the imaging.

The Microscopy Core is not only a shared resource providing access to high quality equipment, the staff is also available to help researchers with all aspects of their imaging requirements. Ideal approaches to specimen documentation are often unique to the experiment and the staff can help design the most effective imaging protocols for a subject. In addition, on-site assistance with any microscope in the Institute is available to help researchers get the most out of their own systems. Image analysis and specialized Photoshop training, creative imaging for journal covers and guidance on digital imaging ethics help to round out the services available from the facility.