Personnel

The Biological and Biomaterials Preparation, Imaging, and Characterization Laboratory (BBPIC) exists to provide access to modern microscopical methods to whoever needs them.

Imaging science has undergone rapid development throughout the past decade. A number of new technologies and significant advances in existing technologies are available for application to biological problem solving.

Video enhancement has extended the capabilities of various types of interference-based microscopies, fluorescent microscopy, and low-level fluorescence imaging for studies of structure and composition in living or prepared specimens, thus permitting simultaneous time lapse correlative studies of structure and functions such as internal pH or free calcium ions.

Digital processing permits the use of algorithms for acquisition of three-dimensional images and isolated image planes. Similarly, new instrumentation such as the confocal light microscope and multi-photon confocal microscope (employing two or three photon excitation), and Near Field Scanning Optical Microscopy (NSOM) can be used to improve image quality, resolution, and fluorescence imaging of living cells.

At higher resolution, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) permits imaging of individual molecules and detection of extremely small labels such as 2nm colloidal gold conjugated antibodies. Variable pressure and "environmental" SEMs can be used to view hydrated specimens, and cryo-techniques which use high-pressure freezing devices and cold stages make possible high-resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) or FESEM of unfixed biological samples.

High-voltage TEMs, electron energy filtering, and digital image acquisition and processing increase the resolution, sample thickness, and labeling possibilities available for transmission electron studies, while decreasing mass loss and attendant specimen damage.

Live or unfixed biological and biomaterials specimens may also be studied by Scanning Probe Microscopies (SPM) at molecular levels of resolution.

These and other recent developments have substantially expanded the role of imaging the structures and functions of microscopic objects.At the microscopic level, the distinctions between biological and materials specimens disappear. This means that biological specimen preparation techniques can be used for materials specimens, and vice-versa. Study of biomaterials and biomimetic specimens is one of the primary functions of the BBPIC.

Instrumentation, Techniques, and Other Activities

Biological and biomaterials preparation and imaging. Freeze drying, freeze substitution, critical point drying, embedding, sectioning, labeling, staining, etc.,for various microscopies, including High Voltage electron microscopy (HVEM), available at the Argonne National Laboratories.

Advanced, high-resolution ligand labeling and immunolabeling for light microscopy (LM) and electron microscopy (EM). Colloidal gold synthesis, conjugation, and analysis of colloidal gold/heavy metal sol preparations for labeling and other purposes.

Neutron activation correlative studies. LM and EM colloidal heavy metal labeling studies in correlation with quantitative neutron activation analysis: non-radioactive tissue and whole body distribution analyses of natural and synthetic biologically active molecules (neutron activation available through Nuclear Engineering on the UW-Madison campus.)

Simultaneous high-resolution differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy and low-light fluorescence microscopy.

Image processing and analysis including the Metamorph and Metafluor programs.

Photographic print and slide making and archiving.

Correlative microscopy of living and fixed biological and biomaterials by (LM), scanning EM, scanning probe microscopy (SPM), and transmission EM with image analysis and processing.

Vascular microcorrosion casting with correlative morphometric and labeling studies to quantify vascular volume and cell proliferation.

Replica casting for production of nanostructured biomimetic biomaterials.

Consulting.

Individualized training, annual short courses at MSA and Scanning meetings.

Visiting scientist sabbatical/training/collaborative projects.

Programs for high school, undergraduate, and minority students.