Morphology and Image Analysis

The Morphology and Image Analysis Core (MIAC) of the Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Center (MDRTC) is focused on providing state-of-the-art quantitative morphological analysis of fixed and living cells. 

The purposes of the MIAC are to: 

1.  To provide expert assistance and collaboration to MDRTC investigators by conducting morphological studies including quantitative cellular and subcellular localization by fluorescence and confocal microscopy including immunohistochemistry, fluorophotometric ion analysis, FRET, FLIP, FRAP, and photoactivation of caged fluorophores, and electron microscopy.

2.  To provide consultation to MDRTC investigators for the design and conduct of research projects using these techniques and the generation of digital images to present collected data.

3.  To demonstrate and teach the above techniques to MDRTC investigators, trainees and technicians and provide access to specialized equipment for those wishing to carry out the various types of microscopy and image analysis.

4.  To initiate, implement and disseminate to MDRTC investigators new and innovative morphological and image analysis techniques to aid research on diabetes, its complications and related endocrine and metabolic disorders as well as basic aspects of cell signaling. The MIAC expects to enhance and stimulate diabetes, endocrine and metabolic research by providing scientific collaboration, expert assistance and special facilities that are essential for the research of Center Investigators and trainees but that are beyond their individual capabilities. 

The facility is equipped with modern light and fluorescent microscopes, imaging systems and printers. The Core has an Olympus Fluoview 500 laser scanning confocal microscope equipped for both slow scan analytical microscopy and high speed imaging. The confocal instrument provides evaluation and 3D reconstruction of immunostained cells and sections for localization of proteins and high speed resolution of fluorescent probes for Ca2+ and other ions in living cells.

The Core has a Multiwavelength Widefield Imaging System designed to analyze and measure FRET (Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer ).  The microscope is equipped for live cell analysis with high speed imaging. The FRET system provides state-of-the-art evaluation of the association of proteins interacting with each other.  Another light microscope is equipped for digital image capture and morphometric analysis.

Key Personnel

John A. Williams M.D., Ph.D., Director
jawillms@umich.edu; 734-764-4376

Stephen A. Ernst Ph.D., Associate Director
ernst@umich.edu; 734-763-8109

Stephen I. Lentz Ph.D., Laboratory Director
lentzs@umich.edu; 734-647-8233

Location

3378 BSRB,
109 Zina Pitcher Place,
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200
View Map to MIAC

Application to Use the Morphology and Image Analysis Core.