Research Project
10270223
MICROSCOPY SHARED RESOURCE ? PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The Microscopy Shared Resource was developed in concert with the initiation of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) Cancer Center in 1986, and, led by Faculty Head David Spector, Ph.D., has been continuously serving Cancer Center members since that time. The Microscopy Shared Resource is widely used; over the last funding period, it was used by 68% of the Cancer Center membership (26 members). The state-of- the-art Microscopy Shared Resource provides Cancer Center members with access to standard and advanced microscopy systems and sophisticated technical expertise. Among the types of services rendered are wide-field fluorescence microscopy, deconvolution microscopy, laser-scanning confocal and spinning-disk confocal microscopy, live-cell imaging, and structured-illumination super-resolution microscopy. In addition to providing users with access to the microscopes, the Microscopy Shared Resource also provides technical assistance in preparing cells or tissues for immunofluorescence microscopy, transmission electron microscopy or immunoelectron microscopy, DNA spreading, and evaluation of subcellular-fractionation procedures by negative staining or thin sectioning. The Microscopy Shared Resource offers assistance and training with advanced image-analysis solutions. Cancer Center members have access to several image-analysis software packages, remotely or in the Shared Resource. Cancer Center members may be trained for unassisted use of the majority of the microscopes, while full-service assistance by facility staff is also available for qualitative and quantitative microscopy. Without the Microscopy Shared Resource, it would be extremely difficult for individual investigators to have access to the sophisticated instrumentation and these specialized services, which are critical to their research programs. In addition, the Microscopy Shared Resource serves as a focal point where users can interact, learn about new imaging technologies, exchange and discuss the availability of new fluorescent proteins/probes or antibodies, and gain insight into novel imaging approaches that will advance their science. In summary, the Microscopy Shared Resource provides the user group with a full complement of state-of-the-art instrumentation and advanced technical support to help accelerate cancer research and discovery.
