Morphology and Imaging Core (MIC)
Our core aims to assist investigators requiring detection, imaging, and morphometric analysis of gene and protein expression in any cell or tissue in vitro and in vivo. Our main goal is to assure high quality and consistent reproducibility underpinned by expert advice on experimental design and interpretation to produce valid imaging data for presentations, publications, and grant proposals. Our state-of-the-art histopathology and biomedical imaging services are available but not limited to all LSUHSC-NO departments and affiliates.
The Morphology and Imaging Core (MIC) consists of three large laboratories, each serving a specific purpose. One of these laboratories is dedicated to handling all histopathology needs. It is equipped with an automated Leica ASP300S paraffin processor, a Shandon embedding station, and two Shandon Finesse microtomes for paraffin processing and sectioning of fixed samples. A Leica CM3060 cryostat is used to capture frozen sections. Additionally, workstations and a chemical hood are available to perform staining techniques such as H&E staining, specialized tissue component-specific chemical stain protocols, in situ hybridization of DNA and RNA probes, immunochemistry, enzyme histochemistry, and immunofluorescence.
Another laboratory houses a range of research microscopes capable of generating brightfield and epifluorescence views in two, three, and four dimensions. These systems include Leica Mz75 and Olympus MVX dissection scopes, a Nikon E600 brightfield and polarized light microscope, and a Nikon TE300 inverted microscope to capture cell culture events. All systems have high-resolution DP27 cameras (Olympus) and Metamorph or Olympus CellSens imaging and morphometry software. A Carl Zeiss P.A.L.M. Microbeam system is available for contact-free laser capture microdissection of tissue sections to assay nucleic acids. Two Leica DMRXA automated upright microscopes driven by Slidebook (3i) deconvolution software can be used for 2D capture and 3D reconstruction of immunolabeled samples. Lastly, an Olympus FV1000 confocal/multiphoton microscope equipped with various laser excitation sources is available for advanced, high-resolution photomicrographs, volumetric analyses, and molecular microscopy assays.
To further support pre-clinical research, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of LSUHSC-NO has certified a designated area of the MIC to perform in vivo biophotonic imaging of anesthetized animals with a Xenogen IVIS200 system. A high-resolution Perkin Elmer GX2 micro-CT unit is also available to enable the tracking of changes in density and morphometry of bone and contrast-enhanced soft tissue structures, as well as metrics of cardiopulmonary output.
Luis Marrero, PhD
mic@lsuhsc.edu
Histology:
Leica ASP300 paraffin processor
Leica CM3050S cryotome
Shandon Histocentre paraffin embedding station
Shandon Finesse paraffin microtomes
Shandon Varistain 24-4 automated stainer
Microscopy:
Bio-Rad Radiance 2100 laser scanning confocal with Kr/Ar gas laser and 405 diode
Olympus FV1000 confocal: 405, 515, 592, and 633 diodes, multi-Argon, and MaiTai multiphoton
Leica DMRXA deconvolution systems with interchangeable epifluorescence filters and
Sensicam QEs
Leica Mz74 stereoscope
Nikon E600 brightfield / polarized light microscope with Olympus DP27 camera
Nikon TE300 inverted microscope with Olympus DP27 camera
Olympus MVX stereoscope with motorized z-stage
P.A.L.M. laser capture microdissection system
In vivo imaging:
Xenogen IVIS200 integrated with XGI-8 gas anesthesia module
Kodak ImageStation FX
Perkin Elmer GX2 micro-CT scanner
Group A Services (Imaging):
Transmitted light microscopy (code: ULM-A) - $15/hr (labor not included)
Epifluorescence microscopy (code: UFM-A) - $20/hr (labor not included)
Stereo microscopy (brightfield and fluorescence) (code: USM-A) - $25/hr (labor not
included)
Deconvolution microscopy (code: UND-A) - $35/hr (labor not included)
Confocal microscopy - (code: UNC-A) $55/hr (labor not included)
Multiphoton microscopy - TBD (labor not included)
Radiography (in vivo) - TBD (labor not included)
Biophotonic imaging (in vivo) - TBD (labor not included)
Laser capture microdissection - TBD (labor not included)
Operation/Analysis/Interpretation (i.e. Assisted Labor) - $45/hr (add to equipment
cost above)
Group B Services (Routine Histopathology):
Sample Dissection and/or Handling (code: DISS-B) - $3.25/sample
Paraffin Processing (code: APP-B) - $4/sample
Paraffin Embedding (code: APEM-B) - $2.75/block
Paraffin Sectioning (code: APS-B) - $3.50/slide (limited to 1-4 sections per slide)
Deparaffinization (code: ADP-B) - $3.25/slide
Dehydration and Clearing (code: ADC-B) - $3.25/slide
Cryosectioning (code: AFS-B) - $8/slide
H&E - Paraffin (code: APHE-B) - $3.50/slide
H&E - Frozen (code: APFSHE-B) - $5/slide
Group C Services (Advanced Histopathology):
Special Stain I (code: SSGI-C) - $10/slide (e.g. PAS)
Special Stain II (code: SSGII-C) - $15/slide (e.g. GMS, AFB)
Special Stain III (code: SSGIII-C) - $20/slide (e.g. Trichrome, Alcian Blue)
Indirect Immunoperoxidase (code: IIP-C) - $20/slide (investigator must provide primary
Ab)
Indirect Immunofluorescence (code: IIF-C) - $14/slide (investigator must provide primary
Ab)
Nuclear Fluorescent Counterstains (code: FCN-C) - $3/slide (e.g. DAPI)
Cytoplasmic Fluorescent Counterstains (code: FCC-C) - $8/slide (e.g. Phalloidin)
Clinical Sciences Research Building, room 532 (main lab)
New Orleans, LA 70112