1. Microscopy and Advanced Bioimaging CoRE
microscopy

Instruments and Services

The Microscopy and Advanced Bioimaging CoRE (RRID: SCR_027237) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is dedicated to empowering researchers with advanced imaging capabilities. Whether a project demands high-speed live-cell monitoring, super-resolved nanoscale visualization, deep-tissue exploration, or electron microscopy, our instrumentation is available to support even the most ambitious projects. Staffed by a team of specialists, the CoRE is also committed to providing tailored solutions and expertise that furthers our efforts to rapidly advance biomedical discovery.

Image Attribution: Mouse NAc, Neuropil; sample prepared, and image taken by Allison S Portela using Hitachi TEM 7700.

CoRE Staff will help you select and receive training on the appropriate microscope for your experiment. We maintain and operate several imaging systems, including:

  • Widefield Microscopes 
    • ZEISS Axio Imager.Z2 (2x)  (RRID:SCR_018876)
    • ZEISS Axio Observer (2x) (RRID:SCR_021351)
    • Leica DMi8 (RRID:SCR_026672)
    • Leica DM 6B (RRID:SCR_024857)
    • Olympus MVX10 fluorescence macroscope (RRID:SCR_018612)
    • ZEISS SteREO Lumar.V12 fluorescence macroscope
  • Confocal Microscopes
    • Super-resolution: Leica TCS SP8 with STED 3x and White Light Laser 
    • Super-resolution: Zeiss LSM 880 with 32-channel spectral GaAsP array + PMTs and the Airyscan detector  
    • Super-resolution: Zeiss LSM 980 with 32-channel spectral GaAsP array + PMTs + 2 NIR GaAsP detectors and the Airyscan 2 detector (RRID:SCR_025048)
    • Leica Stellaris 8 (2x) with White Light Laser and 4 spectral Power HyD detectors
    • Leica TCS SP8 with spectral detector, dichroic beamsplitter (RRID:SCR_018169)
    • Leica TCS SP8 with spectral detector, AOBS beamsplitter (RRID:SCR_027226)
    • Zeiss LSM 780 with 34-channel spectral detector 
    • Andor Dragonfly 620 spinning disk confocal with TIRF and SMLM capabilities, photostimulation (RRID:SCR_027225)
  • Multiphoton Microscopes
    • Olympus FVMPE-RS-with Dual Line Insight X3 laser (RRID:SCR_027234)
    • Bruker Ultima 2Pplus with Coherent Chameleon Discovery NX Dual Laser Line
  • Lightsheet Microscopes
    • LifeCanvas SmartSPIM (RRID:SCR_027239)
    • LaVision Biotec UltraMicroscope II (zoom and infinity optics available) (RRID:SCR_027238)
  • High-Content Screeners
    • Agilent Cytation C10 with Biotek Biospa 8
    • ThermoFisher CX7 LZR (RRID:SCR_020546)
  • Transmission Electron Microscopes
    • Hitachi 7500
    • Hitachi 7700 (RRID:SCR_020022)

CoRE Staff have methodically condensed the most up-to-date sample preparation techniques for microscopy into a series of presentations. Contact the CoRE directly for copies of this material and/or to have a discussion about current issues you are facing.

  • Basic Light Microscopy Sample Preparation
  • Lightsheet Sample Preparation
  • STED (super-resolution) Sample Preparation
  • SMLM (super-resolution) Sample Preparation
  • Guide for Using Multi-Area Carriers (well plates, chambered coverglass, etc.)

The MABC hosts a number of servers and computer workstations equipped with a variety of open-source and commercial image analysis software.

Servers and Workstations

  • Bruker (previously Acquifer) HIVE - for file transfer and pre-processing of large data sets, 3D visualization
  • Microscopy HPC - for analysis of extremely large data sets
  • Two terminal workstations for dedicated image analysis
  • Linux server for dedicated ClearMap analysis

Software Packages on which users can be trained and receive access:

  • FIJI/ImageJ
  • Bitplane Imaris
  • AIVIA
  • Arivis Pro and Cloud
  • QuPath
  • CellProfiler
  • Huygens Professional
  • Leica LAS X - FLIM analysis

Custom software can be installed after discussion with, and at the discretion of, CoRE Staff. Please reach out for assistance.

Scripting languages and environments available on servers:

  • Anaconda 
  • MATLAB
  • R
  • Python