Inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases are complex, multifactorial conditions that affect multiple organs and cellular components. To tackle these intricate biological challenges, we employ and advance multi-modal and multi-scale imaging and flow cytometry pipelines. These pipelines include the entire process from sample preparation, image acquisition to image analysis and quantification. Our workflows are adpated to various tissues, including the heart, kidneys, blood vessels, muscles, liver and adipose tissue. They operate across scales ranging from whole organs to subcellular levels, employing techniques such as widefield imaging, confocal spectral imaging, high-resolution imaging (Airyscan), high-content imaging (Axioscan 7, Opera Phenix), and cytometry-based analysis (spectral, sorting, and analysis).
Technology: Widefield microscopy
A classical light microscopy technique where the entire specimen is illuminated at once. It is well suited for general observation of cells and tissues, but images can be blurred when samples are thick because out-of-focus light is also captured.
Light-sheet imaging of fixed and live samples. We can afford (cells, IPS, organoïds, hydra, fish, human tissues) because the microscope is installed in Biology Safety Level 2
Numerous tests to monitor the performance of photonic microscopy systems, including light source power, observation field homogeneity, detector stability, etc. Training at PRIMACEN or at the applicants’ site.
Zeiss CD7, XY, Z-stacks, multi-points, mosaics, time-lapse
Forces (nN range) are applied or probed by atomic force microscopy, while samples are correlatively and simultaneously observed by fluorescence microscopy in time-resolved confocal microscopy, epifluorescence or TIRF. Imaging can be coupled to single molecule localisation superresolution microscopy
We use multiple imaging systems to probe the polarization of fluorescent molecules. This gives an access to their molecular organization and orientation within cells and organisms.
2 Widefield microscopes are available for our users. A Leica DMI8 Video-microscope and a Leica Thunder microscope. The Thunder is equiped with 8 Led sources of excitation:390,440,475,510,555,575,635,747 nm. Two Quad filters to spectrally separate the 8 channels on the following filters: 420-450; 462-484; 506-532; 527-551; 578-610; 602-680; 666-724; 770-850.
Comprehensive quantitative analysis pipeline for muscle biopsies, integrating advanced imaging and artificial intelligence tools to extract precise morphological and functional parameters.
In order to characterise dynamic phenomena at the molecular level, we have developed expertise in evaluating their diffusion (FRAP) and highlighting interactions (FRAP/FRET-FLIM).
spatial super resolution by ISM (Image Scanning Microscopy) with AiryScan and NSpark in confocal (Zeiss and Nikon); by structured illumination with NSIM and RIM (Nikon and prototype); by SMLM with the STORM system (Abbelight).