Learn About the Analytical Imaging Facility
On Thursday, February 27, 2020, at noon, during the Pathways to Success at the Einstein Cores bimonthly seminar series, held in the Forchheimer third-floor lecture hall, learn how resources within Einstein’s Analytical Imaging Facility can aid your research. The core’s three directors, Dr. John Condeelis, Mr. Frank Macaluso, and Dr. Vera DesMarais will offer an overview of the core’s services and the capabilities of its facilities. Then hear how Drs. David Hall and David Spray are already putting these services to good use, working with the facility’s team.
This image of the protein actin was obtained using structured illumination microscopy, or SIM, This image of the protein actin was obtained using structured illumination microscopy, or SIM, which uses patterned illumination to extract additional high frequency spatial information for improved resolution
About the Analytical Imaging Facility (AIF)
The AIF provides a comprehensive light and electron microscope imaging facility dedicated to offering current methods in modern imaging to biomedical scientists with all levels of expertise. The AIF staff has been cross-trained to seamlessly support visual analysis using techniques ranging from fluorescence light microscope imaging in 3D to high-resolution electron microscopy. This integrated approach facilitates the efficient and appropriate complementary application of these methods for Einstein investigators.
Facility Services
- Epi-Fluorescence Microscopy
- Color Brightfield Microscopy
- Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy
- Spinning Disk Confocal Microscopy
- Multi Photon Microscopy
- 3D and 4D Image Visualization, Restoration and Quantification
- Sample Preparation for Electron Microscopy
- Transmission Electron Microscopy
- Cryo Transmission Electron Microscopy
- Scanning Electron Microscopy
- Cryo Scanning Electron Microscopy
- X-Ray Microanalysis
- Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy
- Customized Quantitative Image Analysis
- Image Data Presentation
It’s Been Said
“The Analytical Imaging Facility is an imaging resource for the entire College of Medicine. The AIF provides comprehensive imaging across multiple platforms including fluorescence light microscopy, confocal and multiphoton microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, cryoTEM and SEM, quantitative image analysis and 3D reconstruction. Our facility’s staff of imaging experts guide and train principal investigators, postdocs, and students in the use of these resources. This support begins with experimental design, followed by image acquisition, quantitative image analysis, and, finally, data presentation in publications, posters, and seminars. In addition to supporting routine light and electron microscopy, we have expertise in a number of cutting-edge technologies including super-resolution fluorescence, automated slide scanning in brightfield or fluorescence, and a full range of low temperature techniques for electron microscopy and array tomography for 3D rendering at the ultrastructural level.
“In a comparison with core imaging facilities in the New York metropolitan region, the AIF is unmatched for the breadth of technology and technical expertise that is available in one comprehensive facility. The faculty directors have a combined imaging experience at Einstein of over 100 years. Our five expert technical staff members have a combined tenure approaching 50 years in the AIF. In 2019, 120 principal investigator labs and 310 individual users across 25 departments utilized the AIF. We continually explore and develop new imaging technologies that may be useful to the Einstein faculty.
- John Condeelis, Ph.D. Scientific Director
- Frank Macaluso, M.SC., Administrative Director and Director, Electron Microscopy
- Vera DesMarais Ph.D., Director, Light Microscopy
- Hernando Sosa Ph.D., Scientific Director, Cryo Electron Microscopy
“My laboratory provides a comprehensive survey of the tissues of an important model animal, Caenorhabditis elegans. Since this is a very small roundworm, we require high-quality preparations for advanced electron microscopy in order to see things clearly. This core houses the critical equipment needed for our research and skilled staff to help us in achieving the best use of that equipment. We visit the AIF facility every week of the year in our pursuit of projects in normal tissue development, from embryo to adulthood. We also study changes in cellular anatomy due to genetic mutations affecting many different tissues. I bring visiting scientists to this core to learn the details in tissue preparation, including fixation and embedding, and different modes of electron microscopy, including TEM, SEM and automated image acquisition. Besides publishing our results in over 100 publications, we also share the best images and 3D reconstructions on our NIH-funded website, www.wormatlas.org.”
- David Hall, Ph.D.
Professor, Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience
“A strength of Einstein research since the early days of its neuroscience community has been the combination of electrophysiological approaches using state of the art imaging, beginning with electron microscopy and freeze fracture techniques. These techniques were extended greatly by the development of confocal and super-resolution microscopy, genetically encoded fluorescent protein tags, and sensors with which proteins could be followed within cells in real time, and physiological processes could be traced with readouts of calcium or pH changes. Each of these techniques has enabled our research to branch in new directions, from studies of gap junction structure at electron microscope resolution to the high spatial resolution of confocal microscopy of fixed specimens, to imaging calcium transients within cells and analyzing dynamic rearrangements of membrane proteins using Fluorescence Recovery after Photobleaching. Combined with other methods of evaluating cell function, the AIF Core led by Frank Macaluso, Peng Guo, Vera DesMarais, and other staff members has played a major role in our publications and grant support for studies of gap junction mediated intercellular communication.”
- David Spray, Ph.D.
Professor, Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience; Medicine
Posted on: Monday, February 24, 2020