The Biological Imaging Facility is a core microscope imaging facility that specializes in widefield fluorescence, laser scanning confocal, spinning disk confocal, TIRF, and super-resolution microscopy (Lattice SIM, PALM, STORM), as well as traditional plant & animal microtechnique, histology, and cryotomy.

Facility Director: Denise Schichines, PhD & Facility Scientist: Jules Cho, PhD

Image of the month for January 2025, featuring a mammalian cell imaged using Lattice SIM


Single-molecule fluorescent in situ hybridization (smFISH) targeting HMGCS2 mRNA (red dots) was performed on primary hepatocytes isolated from a 24-hour-fasted mouse. Mitochondrial network is shown in green, endoplasmic reticulum in white, and nucleus in blue (Hoescht). 3D volume was acquired using the Elyra7 Lattice SIM at the Biological Imaging Facility. Post-acquisition analysis was made in FIJI software. Scale is 10µm.

Leonardo Artico of the Arruda Lab

The Rausser College of Natural Resource’s Biological Imaging Facility functions as an instructional and research laboratory for all aspects of modern light microscopy, including confocal and super-resolution microscopy, image processing and analysis, and most microscopical techniques for developmental and cell biology. Computer image processing and analysis is taught on an individual basis. Microscopy is taught on two levels:

  • Individually as needed
  • PMB185 Techniques in Light Microscopy (this class has been discontinued as of Fall 2024)

In addition, the Facility offers a one-week workshop in Plant & Animal Microtechnique to train the student in modern and classical methods in making microscope slide preparations. Please contact us for more details on our next workshop.

There are four core laboratories on campus that offer expertise, instruction, and instrumentation in microscopy for research.

  • The CNR Biological Imaging Facility (This lab): widefield, confocal, and super-resolution epifluorescence microscopy, live-cell imaging, microtechnique, training in digital image processing and analysis. Located in 381 Koshland Hall
  • Molecular Imaging Center: Two-photon, SPIM, confocal microscopy, electrophysiology, live-cell imaging, and FLIM. Located in Weill, Li Ka Shing, and Barker Halls.
  • Electron Microscope Laboratory: Transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Located in Barker Hall.
  • CIRM/QB3 Shared Stem Cell Facility: Available for the study of stem cells. Located in Stanley Hall
  • The Golub Microscope Collection: Web site dedicated to Dr. Orville J. Golub’s collection of antique microscopes from the 17th–20th Centuries. The collection is located in VLSB. Dr. Steve Ruzin is the Curator.