Cell signalling imaging
The Institute of Cell Signalling has four Zeiss confocal systems: an 
LSM501uv META combi, NLO META combi, EXCITER and a Confocor 2. The 510uv META system is housed within the ICS culturing facility and is set up with heated stages, full environmental control and a perfusion system
for imaging live cells. Some of the live techniques being performed are GFP-tagged receptor studies, GFP complementation, bacterial biofilms, cardiomyocyte stem cells, 3D and 4D timed series imaging, FRET, FRAP, FLIP and calcium. The META allows one to carry out accurate separation of emission spectra from uv to far red. The combi has an additional "Confocor" scanhead for fluorescent correlation spectroscopy combined with confocal imaging. Laser lines available are 458, 488, 514, 543, 633nm and UV. The NLO META Combi Multi Photon system has a femtosecond pulsed IR laser, Argon laser with 458, 477, 488 and 514nm lines, solid state 561nm laser and a HeNe 633nm laser. It is also equipped with a Becker & Hickl FLIM system for lifetime imaging.
It has the Zeiss Confocor3 scan head for multi-photon fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. The Confocor2 is a stand alone Fluorescence Correlation Spectrosopy system.For advice, discussions regarding experimental design &/or grant applications and access please contact Tim Self: 0115 8230090. live dead stain pseudomonas biofilmSome advice on sample preparation is also contained on the Practical Details page.
For more information regarding Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS) please contact: Steve Briddon : 0115 823 0089
Science & Art
The movie describes an innovative collaboration between scientists in the School of Biomedical Sciences and an artist. Part of a Wellcome Trust, Arts Council and Lottery funded grant to further public understanding of science.
These images are from an innovative collaboration between Nick Holliday and Tim Self in the School of Biomedical Sciences and the artist Jo Berry. The aim of the project was to use fluorescent imaging to measure drug-receptor interactions and cell signalling of the ghrelin receptor and to represent this in digital designs and 3D light boxes. The project was part of a Wellcome Trust, Arts Council and Lottery funded grant to further public understanding of science.
The images below are digital representations of the confocal images produced from the live cell experiments conducted during the project. Some of the original micrographs are presented alongside the artist’s images.
