Molecular and Cellular Imaging Facility

University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario
What the facility does

High-resolution molecular and cellular imaging with advanced light and electron microscopy.

Areas of expertise

The Molecular and Cellular Imaging Facility provides advanced and routine light and electron microscopy services for academic and industrial researchers. The goal of the facility is to deliver state-of-the-art multi-user microscopy equipment, software, technical support and training for researchers, students and industrial partners. The facility specializes in epifluorescence, confocal and live cell imaging techniques and high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy and tomography. Expert in diverse whole-cell and cryo-specimen preparation and data analyses, the facility provides a unique environment for users. They may be fully trained in specimen preparation, microscopy, and data analysis, or may request assistance from facility staff. The facility can satisfy almost any cellular or imaging need, and works across all disciplines in both the academic and industrial sectors to drive cutting-edge bio-imaging applications forward.

Research services

Bright-field, dark-field, Differential Interference Contrast (DIC), phase contrast light microscopy, epifluorescence, and confocal microscopy (spinning-disk, laser scanning, multiphoton), riveal contrast microscopy, Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP), Fluorescence (or Förster) Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM), transmission electron microscopy, cryo-electron microscopy, cryo-electron-tomography, high-pressure freezing and freeze substitution

Sectors of application
  • Agriculture, animal science and food
  • Chemical industries
  • Environmental technologies and related services
  • Fisheries and aquaculture
  • Forestry and forest-based industries
  • Healthcare and social services
  • Life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment
  • Manufacturing and processing
  • Mining, minerals and metals

Specialized lab

Equipment

Function

Molecular and Cellular Imaging Facility

Philips CM10 w Edax X-ray Detector

For whole-cell and tissue imaging and spot elemental analyses

 

FEI Tecnai 200 kV Field Emission Gun Transmission Electron Microscope

For cryo-temperature, tilt series and atomic lattice imaging

 

Leica HPM 100 and AFS

High pressure freezing and freeze substitution

 

Leica SP5 Multiphoton Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope

Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope Equipped with Infrared Laser for Multiphoton and FLIM (fluorescence lifetime), particularly for imaging of live samples; heated stage available

 

Quorum Spinning Disk Confocal System

Fast image acquisition, which is advantageous for real-time and/or live cell confocal imaging (reduced bleaching & photo-toxicity)

 

Leica SP2 Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope

Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope for regular confocal imaging, 3D reconstruction, FRET, FRAP

 

Riveal Contrast Microscope

High resolution, oblique illumination for live-cell imaging of unstained samples

 

Quorum Deconvolution Microscope

Upright microscope, optimized for high sensitivity and high speed

 

Zeiss Axiovert 200 Microscope

Inverted microscope for advanced, high resolution imaging