UC - Riverside, Microscopy Core

The Microscopy Core facility offers the systems and training needed to generate the sharpest images from the widest range of samples and staining techniques. Five different confocal microscopes cover all the requirements for speed, sensitivity, versatility, resolution and automation. There is a luminescence dark box imager for viewing luciferase expression in live organisms and cells. Users are also able to transform cells with a gene gun, verify results on two fluorescence stereo-microscopes, and study surface details of live material on the scanning electron microscope. A laser capture system enables separation of different cell types from mixed tissues for more precise genomic and proteomic analysis. Supporting these instruments are a complete set of tissue sectioning instruments; a microtome, an ultramicrotome with cryo-capability, an oscillating tissue slicer, and a cryostat. Three robotic systems support IIGB's chemical genomics initiative and the largest of them is being modified to handle the tedious work of seed placement.