Optical Imaging Facility

Dr. Abedelnasser (Naz) Abulrob
Research Officer, Cerebrovascular Research Group
NRC Institute for Biological Sciences
1200 Montreal Road
M-54 Room 2101
Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6
Phone (613) 993-3745
Fax (613) 941-4475
Abedelnasser.Abulrob@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Dr. Robert Monette
Technical Officer, Synaptic Pathophysiology
NRC Institute for Biological Sciences
1200 Montreal Road
M-54 Room B-157
Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6
Phone (613) 991-6752 
Fax (613) 941-4475
Robert.Monette@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

The IBS facilities provides optical imaging capacities for high-resolution imaging of cellular and tissue elements (confocal imaging) and dynamic, prospective in vivo optical imaging of drug biodistribution and molecular processes in animals.

The facility is a component of larger regional imaging capacities of several NRC institutes that could be accessed through joint Ottawa-based NRC Imaging Network Portal (http://imaging-imagerie.nrccnrc. gc.ca/main_e.html).

The Optical Imaging facility is jointly managed and delivered within the Synaptic Targets and Therapies and Neurovascular Systems Programs.

• FV1000 Olympus confocal microscope

This state-of-the-art confocal microscope is the most recent acquisition (2010) of the NRC-IBS imaging capability and it is built around a fully motorized BX61Wi up-right microscope.  This is an ideal system for live tissue imaging as well as for immunofluorescent samples.  The microscope provides 6 different excitation wavelengths from 405 to 635 nm and has two spectral detectors, one filter wheel base detector and a transmission detector.  This system allows you to detect simultaneously up to 3 different confocal fluorescence signals and one transmission image.  The facility provides equipment to enable users to combine electrophysiological studies with in vitro or in vivo sample imaging. A wide variety of high NA or water dipping objectives are available which offer maximum flexibility for your sample observation. For live cell imaging, a micro incubator is also available to maintain cell physiology over extended periods of time.

Image analysis is either performed using the confocal Olympus software or offline using Image-Pro Plus.

Contact: Robert Monette

• LSM-410, Zeiss Confocal and Multi-Photon Imaging System

This high resolution optical system is comprised of a Zeiss LSM 410 confocal microscope, a Kr/Ar laser and three photomultiplier tubes for simultaneous triple fluorescence detection.  This laser scanning microscope is configured around an inverted microscope which is ideal for electrophysiological interrogation since the surface of the sample is totally free of any objects.  Multiphoton capability is provided by an LSM Technologies retrofit that includes an ultra-fast Ti:S laser coupled with a 10W solid-state Nd:Vanadate laser.  Acquisition and image analysis software, and Image-Pro Plus are run under Windows platform.

Contact: Robert Monette

• Northern Eclipse Hi-Speed Fluorescence Imaging System

This system is optimized to use a diverse array of fluorescent ion-sensitive or voltage-sensitive dyes to investigate rapid ion-related physiological events in live samples. It has ratiometric dual UV excitation or dual-emission capabilities and can be coupled to electrophysiological platforms such as patch-clamp or multielectrode array technologies.  Standard immuno-fluorescence and phase-contrast imaging can also be easily achieved.  This system consists of a Zeiss inverted microscope and a low light sensitivity CCD camera. Image capture and analysis are performed using Northern Eclipse software

Contact: Robert Monette

• Northern Eclipse Zeiss AxioSkop imaging microscope

This basic imaging system is a useful system to acquire micro or macro images.  It either attach to a Zeiss upright microscope to acquire bright-field image or to a 16 or 55 mm lens to perform macro-imaging on larger samples.  In this last configuration, this system is ideal for densitometry measurement of DNA or proteins gel or to image large sample like rat brain per example.  High black and white resolution CCD or color cameras are available.   

Northern Eclipse package allow the capture of images as well a image analysis.  The s

Contact: Robert Monette

• Pre-clinical Time-domain Molecular Optical Imager, eXplore Optix MX2:

The eXplore Optix MX2 at the NRC-IBS is a second generation pre-clinical optical imager equipped with 3 lasers (GFP laser, 670 nm, and 780 nm) capable of visualizing targets in vivo in the visible range and the near infrared wavelength.

In vivo imaging of targeted molecular probes, or molecular imaging, is an emerging technology for studying animal models. Molecular imaging is the measurement and/or imaging of specific molecules (genes, proteins) and molecular pathways in vivo. This technique provides information on physiological processes at the molecular level. Optical imaging is particularly suited for molecular imaging, as fluorescent probes are safe, sensitive and can be specifically conjugated to small molecules, antibodies and other proteins. This time-domain optical imaging platform has been adapted to image small animals for the purpose of providing in vivo bio-distribution and pharmacokinetic data. It is a unique system that allows the user to map parameters such as absorption, fluorophore concentration and fluorescence lifetime.

The Explore Optix MX2 can be used in an array of research applications, including:

• tumor biology ‑ it has the potential to localize and characterize tumors in both ectopic and orthotopic models in vivo,
• kinetic modeling and toxicity studies,
• kinetic modeling of receptor binding,
• elucidating protein interactions
• differentiate between two fluorescent probes exhibiting spectrally overlapped emission profiles making drug interaction studies easier to perform,
• animal organ tissue hypoxia,
• monitoring photodynamic therapy,
• evaluation of gastric emptying for new drugs.

Contact: Abedelnasser Abulrob

• GE eXplore Locus MicroCT (Standard FOV 45x85mm, Resolution 27~90um)

The eXplore Locus MicroCT system is a high-performance CT Scanner designed for imaging both in vivo small animals (mice & rats), as well as excised tissue specimens for analytical research purposes.  The Locus system uses X-rays to produce quantitatively accurate three-dimensional images for non-destructive visualization and analysis of anatomical characteristics of the mouse and rat model. The Locus system includes the MicroCT scanner, all electronics, and computing to operate the systems.  Also included is all software required to customize imaging protocols, perform image processing and data correction, advanced 2D and 3D visualization and advanced image analysis.

The GE eXplore Locus MicroCT system is fully compatible with the GE eXplore Optix MX2 Fluorescence Imaging System for precise co-registration with CT & optical data.  CT images produced by the Locus MicroCT can be fused easily with 3D optical imaging data from the Optix scanner, using an existing multi-modality animal bed.  Software included with the Locus system will fuse the Optical and CT data.  The MicroCT data can thus provide an anatomical reference for the location of the optical signal produced by the Optix system.\

Contact: Abedelnasser Abulrob

Related Information

Institutes:

• NRC Institute for Biological Sciences