Biological Imaging Facility

Chloroplasts surround a nucleus and extend thin projections, called stromules, to cell periphery in Nicotiana benthamiana petioles with a fluorescent protein targeted to the chloroplast stroma (green). The nucleus and cell walls are stained with propidium iodide (magenta) and chlorophyll autofluoresces (red). Image acquired as a z-stack with the Zeiss 710 CLSM and processed with Imaris software. Image courtesy of Jake Brunkard of the Zambryski Lab.

The Biological Imaging Facility is open to everyone at the University, and is physically located at UC Berkeley's Department of Plant and Microbial Biology in the College of Natural Resources.

The facility functions as an instructional and research laboratory for all aspects of modern biological light microscopy, including confocal and deconvolution microscopy, computer image processing and analysis, and most microscopical techniques for developmental and cell biology.

Randomheart shaped COS-7 mammalian cell infected with a GFP expressing gammaherpesvirus. Upper left panel shows the nucleus stained with DAPI (blue). Upper right panel shows a cytoplasmic translation factor strained with Alexa 546 (orange). Lower left panel is a merge between DAPI/Alexa 546 (blue/orange) signals and the lower right panel is a merge between the GFP/Alexa 546 (green/orange) signal. image acquired using the Zeiss AxioImager M1 fluorescence microscope in the BIF. Image submitted by Zoe Davis from the Glaunsinger Lab.Graduate and postdoctoral students can be trained in microscope research techniques including advanced light microscopy, confocal and deconvolution microscopy, digital image processing of microscope images, and related laboratory techniques. Computer image processing and analysis is taught individually. Microscopy is taught in Ruzin's class Techniques in Light Microscopy. In addition, the Facility offers an annual workshop in Plant and Animal Microtechnique designed to train the student in modern and classical methods in preparing microscope slides.

Full time staff members demonstrate the correct use of the instruments, train students in the myriad biological techniques required for successful cell biological research, and help with all aspects of light microscopy and computer image processing and analysis.

Steven Ruzin Ph.D.
Facility Director
ruzin@berkeley.edu
Denise Schichnes Ph.D.
Scientist
schichne@berkeley.edu
Jeff Nemson
Research Associate & Scientist
jnemson@calmail.berkeley.edu

University of California at Berkeley
College of Natural Resources
Department of Plant & Microbial Biology
381 Koshland Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720-3102
510-642-6602

To learn more about the Biological Imaging Facility, visit microscopy.berkeley.edu.