The aim of the Advanced Light Microscopy & Image Analysis (ALM) technology platform is to give researchers from the MDC/ BIMSB and the ECRC on the campus Berlin-Buch access to a very broad range of high-end, state-of-the-art imaging techniques and image analysis tools. We provide scientific and methodological support to enable scientists to perform advanced imaging experiments and acquire high-quality microscopic images from different specimens. This includes all samples in the meso scale, from fixed cells to tissue sections, organoids and different model organisms.
In addition to individual training at up-to-date, well-maintained imaging setups, the ALM offers hands-on expertise for the optimisation of image acquisition conditions and customised image processing and analysis workflows as well as consultation about experimental design and specimen preparation.
More details on potential applications and available imaging setups.
In close interaction with the research groups, the ALM actively contribute to the establishment of new imaging methods, i.e. light-sheet microscopy, functional imaging (FLIM-FRET), live/ intravital microscopy or the update and customization of existing imaging setups.
The MDC and the ALM are members of the GermanBioImaging - a network of German microscopists and bioimage analysts and actively contribute to several of its working groups.
Part of the ALM resources is co-funded by successful applications to DFG, BIH, DZHK and MDC Tandem grants.
Advanced Light Microscopy & Image Analysis - Technology Platform offers several high end state-of-art microscope setups for a wide range of imaging techniques and applications.
Many of the setups are equipped for live imaging.
Our confocal microscopes are equipped with multiple laser lines, various objectives and spectral detectors (PMTs or high sensitivity detectors). Two-photon excitation is possible for thick samples. Observation of subcellular structures can be done with the high-resolution Airy scan detector. A dedicated FLIM microscope can be used to study intracellular protein-protein interactions.
More information is available for internal users here.
Deep tissue and organ imaging is possible due to the high penetration depth of the infrared radiation in Two-Photon microscopy. Our dedicated setup is completed with equipment for maintaining conditions for long-term live imaging. Large area imaging is possible for cleared or un-cleared tissue samples.
More information is available for internal users here.
LaVision Biotec Trimscope II
Our 2 light sheet microscopes are applied for fast imaging of large volume tissue and organ samples after clearing. We also offer conditions for long-term imaging of live small samples.
More information is available for internal users here.
Breaking the resolution limit is possible using several microscopy techniques. We offer wide field TIRF microscopy for studying dynamic membrane processes in live cells and possible applications to localisation microscopy (e.g. PALM). Our STED microscope can be used for both fixed and live samples as well as for the RESOLFT technique.
More information is available for internal users here.
Laser microdissection is applied for specific isolation of individual cells or larger areas of a tissue sample, which will undergo further molecular analysis, i.e. contamination-free molecular analysis of DNA, RNA and proteins.
More information is available for internal users here.
Zeiss PALM MicroBeam (Axio Observer Z1)
Advanced Light Microscopy & Image Analysis Platform also provides access to several high-end computer workstations and server with different image processing and analysis software packages and support with image analysis and data processing for, i.e.:
Reconstruction of multiple imaged tiles with overlapping fields of view into a single big image. Depending on the software reconstruction can be done in two and three dimensions and time laps recordings. For a robust computation, tiles need to overlap with each other by 5 – 15 % of their width and/or height.
A mathematical transformation by which out-of-focus light or blur in the image is reduced. Images acquired on optical systems suffer from a systematic error caused by the Point Spread Functions (PSF). Out-of-focus light arises from the sum of the PSF of fluorescent molecules in the sample. Deconvolution aims to deblur images and remove out-of-focus light. It thereby restores image contrast and resolution.
Large structures in organisms or cells can be imaged as a series of two-dimensional slices or a z-stack throughout their entire depth. From these stack of two-dimensional images, structures can be assembled and reconstructed as a three-dimensional surface render to visualize and analyse the entire structure independent of the image series.
An image analysis method to reconstruct filamentous structures from 2D or 3D images. The operation helps to determine pathways of structures such as axons, dendrites and others and allows further visualization and analysis of the reconstructed structures.
Deep Learning (DL) and Machine Learning (ML) are specialized subsets of artificial intelligence (AI). With DL approaches one can use multilayer networks to perform segmentation or automatic pattern recognition. Through ML approaches, neural networks can be trained and optimized to perform segmentation, denoising or object classification.
Fluorescence signals of molecules in two different channels of a fluorescence image may colocalize when the distance between them is below the resolution of the microscope. Colocalization analysis aims to determine quantitative aspects of this special proximity. Quantitative analysis thereby helps to identify possible interactions between molecules and to determine between colocalization and co-occurrence.
For creation of robust and reliable analysis workflows, including custom-designed software and macro-programming for users, please contact us.
