The In Vitro Imaging platform has recognized expertise in confocal, super-resolution, transmission, and scanning electron microscopy, as well as in a wide range of sample preparation techniques, including cryofixation and cryosubstitution. These techniques are applied to brain tissue, primary and organotypic cell cultures, as well as membrane sheets, enabling the detailed study of functional and pathological processes in neuronal and neuroendocrine cells, with a focus on intracellular signalling pathways.
Depending on your imaging project’s requirements for speed and resolution, the IS2M platform offers a comprehensive range of advanced imaging systems equipped with environmental chambers. This includes:
• A spinning disk microscope (Yokogawa CSU-W1 scanning head), ideal for high spatial 3D resolution imaging of living cells or tissues. This system enables fast acquisitions while minimizing photobleaching, making it perfect for dynamic studies.
• An upright Zeiss 800 confocal microscope, equipped with the AiryScan module for super-resolution imaging and a reflection module for topographic imaging. This advanced setup allows for the detailed study of both material characteristics and cellular responses on surfaces with varied topographies.
Together, these systems provide versatile solutions for a wide range of imaging applications, from cellular dynamics to material science.
Depending on the speed and resolution need for your live imaging project , the IGBMC platform propose different imaging systems equipped with an environmental chamber. Wide-field triggered Zeiss AxioObserver system will allow long term analysis of cell motility, wound healing application, Long-term observation of multi-labelled living cells, intracellular dynamics processes analysis (Calcium, ratiometric FRET imaging, vesicles )…High spatial 3D resolution imaging of living cells or tissues is possible on 1 point scanning (Leica TCS SP8X) or on 2 spinning disk microscopes (Yokogawa CSU-X1 or CSU-W1 scanning head) for fast acquisitions with reduced photobleaching. Live-SR modules are available on our 2-spinning disk systems enabling live Super-resolution up to 105 nm at high speed with no specific fluorophores required. 1 TIRF system equipped with a EM-CCD camera allows super resolution imaging along the optical axis (~100 nm) so imaging of membrane processes, such as receptor-ligand interactions, endocytosis, viral infection, or cell adhesion to surfaces.
2 new systems will be installed at the IGBMC platform in Spring 2025, opening up new possibilities for live imaging : 1 Lattice lightsheet will allow dynamic imaging of full sample volumes (cells, spheroids, organoids, zebrafish/c-elegans/drosophilia embryos…) with high temporal and spatial resolution and next to no phototoxicity and bleaching; 1 lattice SIM system will allow cellular, subcellular, and even sub-organelle structures in living specimens imaging in 2D and 3D with high speed, resolution below the diffraction limit (120nm, 60nm with processing) , with no need of specific fluorophores. Highest super resolution live imaging also available at our neighbored FBI Alsace Node “Plateforme Imagerie In Vitro” at INCI with the Leica Steallris STED with TauSTED and Falcon lifetime imaging option.
Several modules or lasers are available for specific photomanipulation experiments at the sub-cellular level: high energy 355 nm pulsed lasers allow uncageaging, DNA damage induction, or precise photoablation (available on a TCS SP8 confocal microscope or on fast spinning disk with Yokogawa CSU X1 scanning head), laser microdissection system, Multiphoton confocal system also available for localized damage or precise ablation, FRAP module available on 2 confocal systems and on 2 spinning disk (equipped with liveSR module), allowing the analysis of intracellular dynamics, controlled photoactivation or photoconversion applications.
Following acquisition, solution or assistance for quantitative data analysis, curve fitting and kinetics measurements can be provided.
High speed, low photobleaching with sub cellular resolution and high detection sensitivity for cleared whole organs, brains or small embryos is offered by the Zeiss light Sheet LS7 -Multiphoton confocal system also available depending on specific applications (including Second Harmonic Generation), large field of view spinning disk (Leica microscope equipped with Yokogawa CSU-WI scanning head) also available and can be used for living sample. Both multiphoton confocal and spinning disk are equipped with 20x, 0.95 NA Water IMM objective providing 2.2 mm free working distance allowing in depth imaging with an excellent 3D resolution in tissue, small animal models, organs, organoids…
Following acquisition, solution or assistance for 3D image analysis, segmentation and quantification can be provided using dedicated software (Imaris, Cellpose, Napari, specific Python scripts…) For this purpose, the facility is equipped with several GPU workstations for efficient processing of big data, available to users.
The Imaging Facility at IBMP-CNRS provides researchers with access to state-of-the-art microscopy techniques, including fluorescence, confocal, and 3D scanning electron microscopy. The platform supports a variety of sample preparation workflows, such as live-cell imaging and cryotechniques, and offers guidance at every step, from experimental design to image data analysis. Services are available for projects on plant tissues, microbial systems, and cell cultures, enabling users to visualize structures and processes at high resolution. The facility is dedicated to making advanced imaging approaches accessible, fostering collaboration, and helping researchers obtain reliable, quantitative results.
We propose a workflow to study fast biological phenomena in living in immune tissues or cells. We have a mammalian cell culture room to manipulate and preserve the cells under optimal conditions before acquisition. Our microscopy system is specifically designed to investigate cell motility and vesicular traffic in 4D (3D plus time) using fast confocal imaging. For this purpose, we use an inverted microscope (a Zeiss Axio Observer Z1) equipped with an incubation chamber (CO2, humidity and temperature) a spinning disk fast confocal module (CSU X1 Yokogawa confocal head) and also an improved resolution module (Gataca LiveSR). Long time acquisition are possible thanks to a focus stabilization (definite focus). Additionally, diffusion or transport of fluorescent molecules can be studied with FRAP (Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching) and other F technics thank to the Ilas module (Gataca systems).
We offer workflows that enables tissular to subcellular analysis with a specialization in in immune tissues. Our team provides guidance and support at key stages throughout the process. We offer different organs fixation and sectioning methods including cryo-fixed or chemically fixed sample. Accordingly we offer various types of immunolabeling techniques using on these sections. We provide imaging services that allows to get a stitched confocal image of large samples using a high-speed confocal imaging system. Ultimately, we offer a wide range of tools enabling image restauration and analysis at the cellular and subcellular like surface quantification, intensity measurement, structures counting.
To support this workflow we rely on a fully equipped preparation laboratory and two microscopes which can be used in wide field or confocal modes using a CSU X1 Yokogawa confocal head on a Zeiss Axio Observer Z1. We have 2 computers with GPU and various analysis tools: conventional tools like Imaris, ImageJ/FIJI, Qupath, and IA tools like Ilastik, Cellpose, DeepMIB and different conda environments for Deep learning applications.