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| Space Bio-Imaging Laboratory |
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The primary mission of the Lab is to provide state-of-the-art biological and molecular imaging facilities for researchers at the Space Life Sciences Lab. This service mission is accomplished by technical support and application development for two core instruments: a Molecular Imaging Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM) System and a PerkinElmer UltraView Confocal Imaging System. The Bio-Imaging Lab is capable of supporting imaging requirements in both biological and materials science research.
Scanning Probe Microscopy is a method of measuring surface topography on a scale from angstroms to 100 microns, i.e., dynamic resolution from atomic scale to cellular structures. The technique involves imaging a sample through the use of a probe, or tip, with a radius of 20 nm. The tip is held several nanometers above the surface using a feedback mechanism that measures surface.tip interactions on the scale of nanoNewtons. Variations in tip height are recorded while the tip is scanned repeatedly across the sample, producing a topographic image of the surface. In addition to basic Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), the SPM system in the Bio-Imaging Lab is capable of producing images in a number of other modes, including tapping, magnetic force, electrical force, pulsed force, and a unique BioScan mode that combines inverted optical microscopy with high performance AFM. In BioScan mode, biological samples can be illuminated with a variety of light sources that allows the PicoPlus to be used in conjunction with fluorescence imaging to visualize proteins, organelles, cell membranes, and inter-cellular interactions.
The UltraVIEW ERS platform is an ultra-rapid confocal microscopy system for imaging live cells with high resolution, speed and sensitivity in real time over the course of an experiment. This platform enables researchers the ability to perform three-dimensional microscopy of fluorescently labeled specimens or reflective surfaces and to conduct multi-color fluorescent protein studies in time-series. This is accomplished by imaging objects through a spinning disk containing multiple micro-lens apertures, thereby preventing detection of all light except for that originating from a thin optical section. By collecting a series of optical sections through the thickness of the specimen, images of its three-dimensional organization can be collected, assembled, and evaluated using specialized reconstruction software. Confocal microscopy is particularly well suited to the examination of thick specimens for which out-of-focus light, using conventional microscopy, would obscure structural details. It is also a useful tool for materials scientists interested in topological characterization of surfaces.
Laboratory Assets & Specialized Equipment
- Molecular Imaging PicoPlus. Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM) System with BioScan Mode capability on an Olympus IX71 Research Microscope
- PerkinElmer UltraView ERS 3E Confocal Imaging System with Olympus IX71 Inverted Research Microscope for fluorescence and differential interference contrast (DIC) optical microscopy
- Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) imaging of biological specimens and materials in a temperature controlled environment by means of tapping (contact mode), magnetic force (dynamic mode), electrical force (current sensing mode), pulsed force, or BioScan mode. The AFM is able to resolve surface features from atomic scale (Angstroms) to cellular scale (tens of microns).
- Confocal imaging of live cells for observation of:
- biological functions in action by means of fluorescent optical microscopy enabling the visualization of thick samples in color (unlike SEM) with depth discrimination and measurable dimensions (unlike SEM);
- topological characterization of surfaces for materials science applications.
- Single molecule structural analysis
- Nano-particle size and shape analysis
- Surface electromechanical property analysis
The Space Bio-Imaging Laboratory adds new functionality to the SLS Lab, and is currently under development.
Staff Credentials
- 1 Ph.D. Biochemist
- 1 Ph.D. Microbial Ecologist
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Editor: Josh Heise NASA Official: Scott Vangen Last Updated: May 19, 2005 |
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