The Microscopy Shared Resource (MSR) is a new, advanced microscopy facility located at the UA Cancer Center, servicing the immediate needs and future demands of biomedical and translational researchers. The MSR provides several advanced instruments and services for all UA researchers, including confocal microscopy, super-resolution microscopy, slide scanning, live cell imaging, multiphoton and intravital imaging, advanced image analysis, and much more. In addition to providing advanced instrumentation and imaging services, the core facility is a model of academic collaboration. MSR provides a space for on-site workshops, imaging seminars highlighting cutting-edge imaging approaches, demonstrations of next components/instruments, and support to the broader imaging community by building an “imaging culture” on campus.
MSR Imaging Services and Instruments
The MSR has 6 advanced Nikon microscopes with Nikon NIS Elements image acquisition and analysis software, allowing for continuity between instruments and a shared hardware and software experience for all users.
The following are services offered at the MSR:
- Instrument Training on MSR Microscopes (Assisted-to-Unassisted Use):
- Nikon Crest X-Light V2 Spinning-Disk Confocal System
- Nikon SoRa Spinning-Disk Confocal System
- Nikon AX R Laser-Scanning Confocal System
- Imaging Services (Assisted-Use Only):
- Nikon N-STORM Super Resolution System
- Nikon BioPipeline Slide Scanner
- Experimental Design and Acquisition-to-Analysis Workflow Consultations:
- Experimental design: MSR staff will assist with strategies for complex immunolabeling, live-cell
- imaging, super-resolution imaging, high-throughput imaging, etc. Custom image analysis: MSR staff will design semi-automated/automated image analysis using General Analysis 3 (GA3) in Nikon NIS Elements software.
The following instruments are available at the MSR:
“SoRa” Spinning-Disk Confocal System
Nikon CSU-W1 Spinning-Disk Super Resolution by Optical Pixel Reassignment (SoRa): The Nikon “SoRa” system is our most advanced spinning-disk confocal and merges the advantages of
confocal imaging with a 2x increase in resolution using “SoRa mode”, making this both a confocal and super resolution microscope. The SoRa spinning-disk microscope is equipped with an
environmental chamber (capable of generating hypoxic conditions) and the high-resolution sCMOS Kinetix camera, making it ideal for super-resolution imaging of live samples (cells, organoids, etc.)
with minimal phototoxicity.
Featured Capabilities:
- Confocal imaging (Yokogawa CSU-W1 Optics)
- Live cell imaging (humidity, temperature, and CO2 regulation)
- Super resolution (2x resolution using SoRa mode)
“AX R” Laser-Scanning Confocal System
Nikon AX R Confocal Microscope: The Nikon “AX R” system is an inverted laser-scanning confocal microscope and is our most capable instrument. The AX R has both a traditional, high-resolution Galvano scanner and a high-speed Resonant scanner with up to 2K X 2K resolution, making this instrument capable of both high-resolution and high-speed imaging. The AX R offers the largest selection of laser lines (405/445/488/568/594/640/730), allowing the microscope to excite up to 7 fluorophores with clear spectral separation. This instrument has the widest range of objectives lenses, including a long working distance 20x 0.7NA objective with 2.3mm of working
distance and water-immersion 40x 1.25NA objective with automated water immersion dispenser, ideal for long-term, live cell and multi-well plate imaging.
Featured Capabilities:
- Confocal imaging with high-speed Resonant scanner
- Live cell imaging (humidity, temperature, and CO2 regulation)
- Advanced multichannel imaging (up to 7 fluorophores per sample)
- Long-working distance 20x objective with 2.3mm working distance
- Water-immersion 40x objective with automated water dispenser for multi-well imaging
“Storm” Super Resolution System
Nikon N-STORM Super Resolution Microscope: The Nikon “Storm” system is our super resolution microscope, capable of achieving 20nm XY and 50nm Z resolution (10x increase in
resolution than a widefield fluorescence microscope). STochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy (STORM) is our most advanced imaging modality offered at the MSR and
requires a consultation with our MSR team prior to experimentation and sample preparation. This instrument is also capable of acquiring 3D STORM images and is currently optimized to image two
fluorescence channels (488nm and 647nm). Due to the nature of this advanced technique, the Storm system is assisted-use only and the MSR will provide optimized protocols and
imaging buffers for users.
Featured Capabilities:
- Super resolution imaging (10x resolution)
- 3D STORM (with astigmatism lens)
- Optimized for 2-channel STORM imaging (488nm and 647nm)
“AX R MP” Multiphoton System
IMAGES COMING SOON
Nikon AX R Multiphoton Microscope (coming soon): The Nikon “AX R MP” microscope is an upright multiphoton system ideal for intravital imaging and thick samples. This instrument is
equipped with dual IR lasers (1 tunable and 1 fixed) for fast multichannel imaging, the same highspeed Resonant scanner in our AX R system, and a 22mm field of view, allowing more data to be
collected in a single image. The AX R MP is optimized to image green (i.e. AF488), red (i.e. AF568), and far-red (i.e. AF647) fluorophores, with the ability to acquire second harmonics
generation for label-free imaging. This system has a wide selection of objective lenses for multiphoton imaging, including two glycerin-immersion objectives (10x 0.5NA and 20x 1.0NA) and
a water immersion 20x 1.0NA objective lens, and is configured with a large-clearance “gate-stand” to provide space for intravital imaging setups (800mm W X 400mm H X 730mm D). Due to the
nature of this advanced technique, the AX R MP system is assisted-use only and the MSR provides a bench area for setup and ancillary equipment.
Featured Capabilities:
- High-speed imaging with Resonant scanner
- Tunable IR laser range: 680nm – 1300nm
- Dual IF lasers (1 tunable and 1 fixed) for fast multichannel MP imaging
- Second harmonics generation for label-free imaging
- Upright microscope with a large clearance stand to accommodate intravital imaging stands
“BioPipeline” Slide Scanner
Nikon BioPipeline Slide High Content Imaging System: The Nikon “BioPipeline” is an automated, widefield slide scanning system equipped with a Marzhauser Slide Express 2 loader with a 120-slide capacity for high-throughput imaging, optics for polarized microscopy, and optics to support UV – IR imaging. Due to the robotic slide loader, the BioPipeline is ideal for high content projects that require imaging several slides in an automated fashion and supports both 1x3 and 2x3 glass slides. The BioPipeline is an assisted-use only system and is offered as a service at the MSR. MSR staff with work with users to design an imaging workflow and acquire the images based on the user’s needs. Researchers interested in this service, supported slides, and turnaround time can view our Slide Scanning Request Form on iLabs.
Featured Capabilities:
- Optics for polarized microscopy
- High content imaging with automated slide loader
- Supports a wide range of fluorophores (DAPI, CFP, GFP, YFP, Cy3, Cy5, and Cy7)
- Color and fluorescence cameras
