​Imaging Core Facilities 

​Our Imaging Core facilities provide access to a range of imaging techniques. Equipped with various advanced microscopes, the facilities include​: ​

Confocal Microscopy Core​

​The confocal microscopy facility at CRM enables researchers to visualise a variety of samples, from fixed to live cells, from thin tissue sections to thick samples, from unstained phase-contrast images to vibrant multicolour images, and from 2D monolayers to 3D reconstructed images of samples. This is accomplished using a variety of optical imaging modalities, including:

  • Confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) - equipped with four lasers ranges from 405nm-640nm and a spectral detector to capture single or multi-labelled specimens using magnifications from 10X to 100X.
  • Live Cell Imaging Incubator - with temperature, humidity, and Co2 controls to provide a long-term stable environment to visualise live cells in motion.
  • NIS-Elements - M​icroscope Imaging Software - an integrated software imaging platform that delivers comprehensive tools for image analysis and quantification. The CRM also maintains workstations with software packages for post-acquisition image analysis for publication-quality images.
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Our laboratory has expertise in imaging mammalian cells, brain organoids sections, fish skin patches, different tissue sections, and live imaging of cells for up to 96 hours.​

​Virtual Microscopy Suite​

The virtual microscopy suite at CRM uses virtual slide system to create an advanced and highly versatile 'virtual slide', a high-resolution image of the whole specimen. These virtual slides can be stored electronically on a central server and viewed around the world instantly. It allows standard slides (five 1x3) to be manually loaded, along with any associated metadata. ​​


Olympus Virtual Slide System, VS 120 S5  ​

The VS120 virtual slide acquisition process in our​ suite uses an intuitive scan wizard, where complete slide scanning can be set up. Different scan settings can be assigned to individual slides, saving significant scanning time. Automatic specimen recognition limits scanning to the specimen area, with high-level colour fidelity and image quality. The VS 120 can also scan multiple large specimens through Z-planes. ​

Laser Capture Microdissection Suite

Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM) is a technique for isolating highly pure cell populations from a heterogeneous tissue section, cytological preparation or live cell culture.​


MMI CellCut Plus

LCM CellCut Plus instrument from Molecular Machines Industries (MMI) is a user-friendly tool designed for the quick and precise isolation of cells and tissue and is an essential tool for molecular pathology. The MMI CellCut Plus enables easy and quick cell selection directly on the touchscreen. The cells of interest are marked and cut automatically using a precisely focused UV-Laser.​

Technical Support

The facilities have trained staff to assist researchers with experimental designing, comprehensive sample preparation for microscopy and custom image analysis. Our dedicated team facilitates researchers to make the most out of their imaging experience and produce high-quality data.

Service Fee

Services in this facility are provided on a fee for service basis.

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Contact

For more information and assistance, please contact:​

Sadia Habib

​Assistant Manager, Laboratory​​​

​2 Email Logo.png ​​sadia.habib@aku.edu​​​​​

​hpicon_voice_calling1.png​​+92 21 3486 4874​​​​​​​