A multiuser confocal laser scanning microscope for live and 3-D imaging of craniofacial cellular dynamics
Lead Research Organisation:
King's College London
Department Name: Craniofacial Dev Orthodon and Microbiol
Abstract
Birth defects, cancer, regeneration and degeneration are all processes that can be better understood by the study of normal development of embryos. Recent advances in the field have shifted the focus from individual genes to complex regulatory cascades that operate in diverse sub-cellular compartments, between cells and between tissues. This, in turn, requires the study of the distribution of gene products (proteins) and their biological effects at a very fine scale: the scale of individual cells and even within cells. Fortunately, this is facilitated by new types of microscope. The one being requested in this application is a confocal laser scanning microscope that, by illuminating only one tiny spot at a time within a specimen (but scanning the illuminating laser beam progressively across and through it), eliminates most of the glare and fuzz of conventional microscopes. Such instruments enable images from deep within tissues to be gathered and different colours that identify different proteins to be detected simultaneously. The department requesting this instrument does not have its own confocal microscope, and several members of the department currently have to go to remote sites to collect these crucial images. The provision of the requested instrument will thus result in greatly increased efficiency in using Research Council and other funds for project work.
Technical Summary
Twelve different project areas in the Department of Craniofacial Development at King's College London require significant use of laser-scanning confocal immunofluorescent imaging. The high spatial resolution, optical sectioning and multispectral capabilities of this type of instrument are needed for three main types of imaging application. These are (1) the analysis of multiple lineage and differentiation markers at cellular resolution in fixed material; (2) the tracking of cell trajectories and motile behaviours in real time in two- and three dimensions; and (3) high resolution subcellular analysis of protein localisation for the study of cell polarity, signal transduction and cytoarchitectural changes during development. Details of each of the relevant projects illustrate the diversity and substance of the proposed uses, and show that uses of out-of-department instruments are now rapidly becoming unsustainable. An instrument configured for these multiple uses offers substantial increases in efficiency and capability, especially because it enables analysis of delicate, experimentally manipulated embryonic material on-site.
Publications
Yamada S
(2023)
Unique osteogenic profile of bone marrow stem cells stimulated in perfusion bioreactor is Rho-ROCK-mediated contractility dependent.
in Bioengineering & translational medicine
Donovan APA
(2023)
Pervasive cortical and white matter anomalies in a mouse model for CHARGE syndrome.
in Journal of anatomy
Li J
(2016)
Epithelial stratification and placode invagination are separable functions in early morphogenesis of the molar tooth.
in Development (Cambridge, England)
Panousopoulou E
(2016)
Invagination of Ectodermal Placodes Is Driven by Cell Intercalation-Mediated Contraction of the Suprabasal Tissue Canopy.
in PLoS biology
Panousopoulou E
(2014)
Spindle orientation processes in epithelial growth and organisation.
in Seminars in cell & developmental biology
Panousopoulou E
(2013)
The distribution of Dishevelled in convergently extending mesoderm.
in Developmental biology
Blackburn J
(2012)
The role of Irf6 in tooth epithelial invagination.
in Developmental biology
Kawasaki K
(2012)
Bmp signalling in filiform tongue papillae development.
in Archives of oral biology
Sabado V
(2012)
Specification of GnRH-1 neurons by antagonistic FGF and retinoic acid signaling.
in Developmental biology
Rothová M
(2011)
Contribution of mesoderm to the developing dental papilla.
in The International journal of developmental biology
Description | This instrument is a super-high-powered microscope that is used to study the way cells make tissues and molecules make up and control cells. |
Exploitation Route | As a facility underpinning a wide array of users' research, the findings are too numerous to elaborate. |
Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Chemicals Creative Economy Education Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Description | This was a research equipment grant for a confocal microscope. This instrument has been used for a large volume of work from my department (hence the number of associated publications). It continues to be in almost constant use (ca. 250 hours/month) |
First Year Of Impact | 2008 |
Sector | Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Impact Types | Societal |
Description | School visits (Careers), London |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Visits to several different secondary and primary schools in classes and smaller and larger groups describing the science we do and the career pathways in science influenced several school students to pursue science-based A-levels and degree options |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2017 |