Expertise
Imaging Platforms
Keywords - Light Microscopy: Confocal microscopy | Widefield microscopy | Laser microdissection | Live cell imaging | SLIDE SCANNING | Light-sheet microscopy (SPIM) | REFLECTANCE imaging
Andor spinning disk confocal microscope with 5 lasers, laser-based micromanipulation unit (355-430 nm), fully controlled enclosure, fast emission filter wheel, variable beam splitter and 2 EMCCD cameras
Custom-built SPIM for 3 spectral channels for Zebrafish imaging
Inverted Leica SP5 TCS with 3 spectral channels
Leica TCS SP8 2x HyD detectors, 6 laser lines
Zeiss LSM 710
Zeiss LSM 780 (6 laser lines, 32-segment GaAsP detector
Zeiss P.A.L.M microdissection microscope
Zeiss Observer live cell fluorescence microscope with automated liquid handling
Range of upright and inverted wide-field fluorescence microscopes
Applications
Keywords - Biological: Cell Biology | Neurobiology | Developmental Biology | Zebrafish | Physiology
The CALM Facility offers support for the experimental design and practical delivery of live- and fixed-specimen imaging experiments, including the processing of a wide range of specimens and samples (please enquire). Some of the advanced applied imaging technologies are: photo-manipulation (activation, conversion, ablation, etc), fast multi-dimensional image acquisition, microdissection, automated slide scanning, reflectance imaging of neuronal tissue.
Sample Preparation
Keywords - Biological: Photoconversion | Immunofluorescence | H&E staining | Live Cell | Live specimens | tissue microdissection with sample collection
The CALM Facility provides support for the planning and practical preparation of a wide range of live specimen imaging experiments. The facility is part of the service umbrella SuRF@QMRI (Shared University Research Facilities) and we are working very closely with the Histology and Immuno-detection unit of SuRF. This unit provides a large range of services for sample fixation and sectioning (cryo and embedded tissues). The services on offer include fully automated histo-immuno labelling and fluorescence-based immuno-detection. This unit also operates two Zeiss Axioscan.Z1 slide scanners for high throughput image acquisition (fluorescence and brightfield image acquisition).
Data Analysis
Keywords - Software: ImageJ | FIJI | Imaris | Matlab | Huygens | Volocity
A range of workstations is available for using the following image analysis packages: ImageJ/Fiji, MatLab, Volocity, Huygens and Imaris. The CALM Facility provides training and support for this image analysis infrastructure. Users also have access to the ‘Eddie’ large Linux Compute Cluster operated by the Edinburgh Compute and Data Facility for high performance computing.
Shared Access
The CALM Facility is operated as an open-access unit, providing imaging services to the biomedical research community at the University of Edinburgh. Academic and commercial projects from outside the University are welcome and can be discussed.
Funding
The CALM facility is funded by the College for Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (University of Edinburgh) and the Research Councils UK. The operation and maintenance of the facility is funded by usage charges.