CECAD: Service

Service

Die CECAD Imaging Facility stellt ein breites Spektrum an hochmodernen Mikroskopen zur Verfügung, die von histologischem Slidescanning, Lasermikrodissektion, Konfokal, Spinning Disk, Superresolution und intravitaler Bildgebung bis hin zu Transmissionselektronen-Mikroskopie reichen. Neben Multicolor-Bildgebung fixierter und lebendiger Proben können auch aufwändigere Techniken wie wie z.B. FRAP, FLIM (Fluorescent Lifetime Imaging, FRET), Laserablation, STED und PALM/dSTORM Superresolution angeboten werden.

Im Bereich der Elektronenmikroskopie steht dem Nutzer Präparationsausstattung wie ein Hochdruck-Freezer, Freeze Substitution und Ultramikrotome zur Verfügung, aber in erster Linie bieten wir Full-Service inklusive Probenpräparation an. Alle Systeme können online gebucht und nach einem ausführlichen individuellen Training genutzt werden. Die Facility berät Wissenschaftler bei ihren Projekten inklusive Set-Up und Methodenwahl, ebenso unterstützen wir die Nutzer bei der Datenanalyse.

2. Electron tomography reconstruction of a mitochondrion from an osteosarcoma cell (collaboration with U. Brandt)

In electron microscopy, we provide full-service options, including sample preparation and image acquisition, with the option of EM training for dedicated EM users. Within the last two years, we expanded our TEM acquisition towards electron tomography and serial section acquisition to move towards EM volume imaging and 3D reconstruction (see Fig. 2). We further increased our portfolio in different CLEM approaches (Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy). We were able to relocate rare structures that were observed in tissue within the light microscope and to relocate their ultrastructure precisely within the electron microscope. And we combined the superresolution technique STED (STimulted Emission Depletion) with EM, resulting in Super-CLEM (see Fig 3). In EM, we will focus on more automated image acquisition methods in the future.

3. Super CLEM in HeLa cells using a new, fixalbe mitochondrial probe. (A) STED image of HeLa cells with PKMO FX (A´) Confocal image of mtDNA (SybrGold). (B) Electron tomograph of the same mitochondria using established pre-embedding CLEM method. (B´) Overlay of fluorescent and electron microscope image. Scalebar: 3 µm (Chen et al. 2024, PNAS)

During the last year, we took the CMMC Imaging Platform under our umbrella and welcomed a new team member to our group, Dr. Mehrnaz Babaki is located at the CMMC to support users in light microscopy experiments and image analysis as well as CECAD members in image analysis. In addition to the already offered support in image data analysis in our group and the training on dedicated analysis software, we will focus more on automated image analysis approaches and deep-learning algorithms.