The Imaging and Histology Core supports the use and maintenance of instrumentation for imaging of live and preserved organs, cells, tissues, as well as plates and arrays. This core also provides computer software for the processing and quantification of image features.

Fees: The services and use of microscopy equipment are provided at no charge for high-priority users (R01 holders, R01 renewers, R01 developers). For other users, a fee-for-service is applied ($25.00 per hour without manager assistance, $50.00 per hour with manager assistance). Use of histology equipment is free of charge.

Imaging

The Imaging Core is supported by NEI Core Center Grant P30 EY014801. Please cite this grant number on all publications that make use of this core.

Leadership & Management

Valery Shestopalov, Ph.D. directs the Imaging and Histology Module. Dr. Shestopalov is a professor of ophthalmology. Mr. Charles Yaros, senior manager of research support, manages the Imaging and Histology Core and assists researchers with their imaging and image analysis needs.

Resources & Location

The core is comprised of three different facilities located in the McKnight building:

• Analytic Imaging
Analytic Confocal Microscopy - Available equipment is a Zeiss LSM-700 4-laser confocal system and a Leica Stellaris 5 Inverted Confocal Microscopy Instrumentation
Analytic Time-lapse Wide-field Fluorescence Microscopy - Available equipment is a Zeiss Axiovert 200M research wide-field fluorescent microscope with CCD camera, and Leica DMI6000 CS inverted microscope with CCD camera and climate control hood for live cell/organ culture time-lapse microscopy
• In-Vivo Fluorescence Microscopy
The equipment includes a Nikon Ts2R-FL inverted microscope and an Olympus microscope for high-quality imaging of cell lines and primary cultures, particularly those expressing genetically delivered fluorescent protein constructs.
• Stereo Microscopy
The equipment includes three research grade Leica MZFL Stereomicroscopes and one Carl Zeiss Stemi SVII binocular microscope with a control PC station with fluorescence light and CCD cameras.
Macroscopic gel/blot/specimen imaging The equipment includes gel/blot/specimen imaging stations, GE Typhoon Trio 9410 Trio laser fluorescent/phospho-imager equipment, two luminescence/fluorescence plate readers (BMG Labtech)

Please click on the links above to go directly to information about each facility. Please contact Mr. Charles Yaros for access to the University Sharepoint Website with instrument schedules.

• Leica Stellaris 5 Inverted Confocal Microscope
• Leica DMI 6000 CS inverted Microscope

Histology

The Histology portion of this core supports the preparation, embedding, sectioning, and storage of biological specimens for observation and analysis by light microscopy. The Core provides equipment for fresh, frozen, and paraffin specimen processing. Equipment for routine staining is also available, including H&E, PAS, and MT.

Use of histology equipment is free of charge. Training and protocols are provided for all users.. Instruments should be reserved by contacting Mr. Charles Yaros. 

Location

The Histology Core is located on the 4th floor of the McKnight building in room 409. The lab was carefully designed for efficient work flow. It contains a built-in Labconco fume hood (with blower, cabinet and work surface for staining apparatus), and 2 chemical sinks.

Equipment Located in the Histology Lab

• ATP™ Tissue Processor (# ATP1-120, Triangle Biomedical Sciences, Inc.)
• 2 Microtome Cryostats (International Equipment Company – Minotome)
• Leica Jung knife sharpener
• 2 micro optics Microtomy (Leitz #1512)
• Spencer binocular microscope (AO #926963)
• Lancer Vibratome 1000 and Vibratome 1000 Plus
• Illuminated Tissue Flotation Bath (# 80086-990, VWR)
• Paraffin Dispenser (# PD-120, Triangle Biomedical Sciences, Inc)

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Charles Yaros
Senior Manager of Research Support, Imaging Core Manager
Email: ckyaros@med.miami.edu
Phone: 305-482-4788
McKnight Vision Research Center, 5th Floor