Imaging (Research/Microscopy/Preclinical/MRI)
CAOS (Center for Advanced Orthopaedic Studies) µCT Core
The CAOS μCT core provides high resolution 3D imaging of ex vivo specimens. Our main service is imaging of rodent bones for measuring bone microarchitecture and morphology. Additionally, we can image other types of specimens up to 36 mm in diameter and 80mm in length with voxel sizes as small as 6 μm. We also perform mechanical testing (bending and compression) of bone specimens to measure structural and apparent material properties.
For more information, please check out our website.
Manager: Daniel Brooks
Phone:
Email
Electron Microscopy Core
The EM Core at BIDMC provides service, technical assistance, and instrumentation for electron microscopy techniques.
Because EM projects can be extensive and expensive, the EM Core Facility invites all researchers to meet with core staff before a project is started to discuss the scope of the project, how to procure and fix tissues, time line, budgetary concerns, and any other general issues which might arise.
- Contact the EM core facility staff to schedule an initial meeting. During this meeting, the scientific objectives and experimental details of your project are discussed. Please bring relevant articles that explain the project and any techniques you may be trying to reproduce. Core staff will work with you to design the EM study and schedule work.
- Users have the option to choose service work (a) or independent usage (b). Please note: The EM core does not offer independent use of core microtomy equipment so the sections must be cut by core staff or elsewhere.
Work is done on a fee-for-service basis with a graded fee structure.
Supplemental funding is provided by the Harvard Digestive Disease Center (HDDC) for Center members (only). Priority use is given to investigators at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and HDDC.
For more information, please check out our website.
EM Specialist: Kyle Smith
Phone: (617) 667-4189
Email
Director: Susan J. Hagen, PhD
Phone: (617) 667-4188
Email
Immunostaining and Microscopy Core
The function of the Immunostaining and Microscopy Core is to provide services in confocal microscopy, light microscopy and immunostaining for cells and tissues including:
- Immunostaining and Microscopy Core for tissues or live cells with capability for near super-resolution imaging
- Brightfield and fluorescence microscopy
- Immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence staining
- First time users schedule an initial meeting with core staff. During this meeting, the project and experimental details will be discussed. Core staff may suggest which microscopy modality works best for the project as well as consultation on strategies to accomplish the imaging task. Users have the option of choosing service work or independent use.
- Schedule a service work session or a customized microscope training session with one of the core staff members.
For more information, please check out our website.
Manager: Xu Xu, PhD
Phone: (617) 667-5373
Email
Research Assistant / Tech: Roberts, Daniel
Phone: (617) 667-1880
Email
Director: Susan J. Hagen, PhD
Phone: (617) 667-4188
Email
Preclinical MRI Core
The Preclinical MRI Core facility at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center offers instrumentation and expertise for a broad range of magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy applications for small animals, excised tissue and cell culture studies. We provide fee for service within BIDMC and to outside investigators. The hyperpolarized NMR core provides imaging of tissue function at the molecular level, principally directed toward studies of metabolism and perfusion. Through the use of carbon-13 labeled substrate molecules, hyperpolarized NMR can interrogate specific metabolic pathways non-invasively and in real time. Molecular substrate molecules including pyruvate, glutamine, succinate, fumarate and choline can be imaged with hyperpolarization. In addition, tracer molecules for studying tissue perfusion are available.
For more information, please check out our website.
Director: Aaron Grant
Phone: (617) 667-3265
Email
Small Animal Imaging Facility
The Longwood Small Animal Imaging Facility (LSAIF) provides investigators with a streamlined system for the transport, testing and imaging of small animals used in research studies. High-quality bioluminescence imaging is available to scientists and the Core’s services extend to experimental design, advanced data analysis, and a satellite animal facility for longitudinal studies. In 2011, the Longwood SAIF expanded with the addition of the Animal Blood Testing Facility. Blood testing is a valuable tool that can reveal a wealth of data to investigators. Testing results measured against reference standards can show abnormalities, presence of disease, health of organs, and trends in experimental groups. The Blood Lab gives investigators access to a wide range of experimental tools, including Blood Gas, Chemistries, and Complete Blood Count (CBC) for virtually any small or large animal.
For more information, please check out our website.
Director: John (Seán) Clohessy, PhD
Phone: (617) 735-2147
Email
Research Assistant: Joseph Abirached
Phone: (617) 735-2131
Email
Structural Biology Core
As a method of determining the arrangement of atoms within a crystal, X-ray crystallography is a central component of many scientific investigations. Through BIDMC’s recently opened Structural Biology Core, researchers have access to state-of-the-art instrumentation, as well as computing facilities that can be used for data acquisition, analysis and processing. Specific services include: Guidance on expression in bacterial, insect and mammalian cells, purification and crystallization of macromolecules for X-ray crystal structure analysis; characterization of crystals; and collection of X-ray data at ambient and cryogenic temperatures.
For more information, please check out our website.
Manager: Gabriel Birrane, PhD
Phone: (617) 667-0025
Email
Translational MRI Research Core
The Translational MRI Core of the BIDMC Department of Radiology provides state-of-the-art MRI capabilities for imaging human subjects and potentially large animals as part of research studies. The facility operates a research dedicated 3 Tesla system. In addition to commercial tools for clinical imaging, customized software and protocols for applications including functional and structural brain imaging, abdominal perfusion and diffusion, muscle functional imaging and spectroscopy are available to users. Additional customization of applications either by the Core staff or in collaboration with the Division of MRI Research is encouraged.
For more information, please check out our website.
Director: David Alsop, PhD
Phone:
Email