The McLean Hospital Microscopy Core Facility, located in the Mailman Research Center (MRC), is a shared user facility that supports basic scientific imaging and cell sorting research efforts within the McLean Hospital research community. Users from other Institutions are also welcome, with prior approval from the Core Director. Major instrumentation offered by the Core includes a JEOL JEM1200EX Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), a recently acquired state-of-the-art Leica SP8-TCS Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope (LSCM), and a newly acquired Bio-Rad S3 Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorter (FACS).
Member:
Berciu, Cristina, Ph.D.
Role:
Core Manager
Phone:
617-855-2798
Email
This microscope can be used to examine the ultrastructure of the cells and tissues at a very high resolution (<1nm), and also to localize different proteins/structures of interest using immunoelectron microscopy.
The Leica SP8 is a high sensitivity point scanning confocal that provides very-high-quality images with fine detail and more contrast than conventional microscopy. In addition, the imaging technique allows for reconstruction of virtual 3-dimensional (3-D) images (static or time lapse) of the tissue when multiple (optical) sections are combined. Having an encoded motorized stage allows reproducible positioning of sample and automated mosaic tiling for imaging large areas without sacrificing spatial resolution. Besides, its resonant scanner for low photo-toxicity makes it ideal for live cell imaging.
The S3e cell sorter is the first truly walk-away fully automated cell sorter, ideal for counting/sorting subpopulations of cells fluorescently marked mixed in a solution. Real-time monitoring and smart features make cell sorting easier and accessible to both novices and experts. It is a two-way cell sorting, high speed and high purity, with 4 fluorescence detectors, and can count/sort cells with a diameter up to 30 micrometers. It also has temperature control for both sample input and sort output.