Imaging Unit

Our Mission

The Imaging Center provides access to optical technology for biomedical research. The provided services cover all the main needs of basic and advanced cancer research: flow cytometry and cell sorting , cell microinjection, wide field and confocal fluorescence microscopy, time-lapse microscopy, and digital image analysis basic and advanced applications (deconvolution, 3D rendering).

The major objectives of the centre are:

• Set up, maintain and develop optical technology for basic and advanced research
• Directly provide sample acquisition and analysis in specific applications for the European Institute of Oncology and IFOM researchers
• Provide on-site training and assistance to prepare biomedical researchers to the use of optical instrumentation and to introduce to advanced imaging applications
• Perform independent and collaborative research for the development of advanced imaging- based technology

Activities

• Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting
• Cell Microinjection
• Wide Field Fluorescence Microscopy
• Structured Illumination and Deconvolution
• Confocal Microscopy
• Live Cell Imaging (Time-Lapse Microscopy)
• Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) Microscopy
• Advanced Imaging Applications: Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP), Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), Photoactivation, Spectral Imaging
• Image Cytometry and Image-based Phenotype Screening
• Two Photon Microscopy (in collaboration with the LAMBS MicroScoBio laboratories of Prof. A Diaspro in Genoa)
• Development of Image Analysis Software Tools