ST. LOUIS, MO – The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center has expanded the capacity of its Integrated Microscopy Facility to include high-resolution 3-D imaging at the nanoscale, single-molecule approaches, as well as automation and machine learning to enhance and accelerate research and discovery. The expansion has been led by the New Director, Kirk J. Czymmek, Ph.D., who joined the Center in June. The new name, Advanced Bioimaging Laboratory (ABL), reflects the new technologies and research capabilities. In September and October, Czymmek will be demonstrating a high-speed versatile 3D and 4D super-resolution microscope and high-pressure freezer for a state-of-the-art cryopreparation approach for light and electron microscopy, two new technologies he hopes to add as soon as funding becomes available.

“Remarkable technological advances in imaging allow us to visualize unprecedented views of the inner workings of plants as well as their interactions with other organisms and the environment. Joining the Danforth Center, with an exceptional and dedicated support team and top-notch researchers, provided the perfect setting to leverage these imaging advances to make new discoveries in plant science for the benefit of humankind,” said Czymmek.

NEW TECHNOLOGIES

ZEISS AxioZoom and Image Analysis
The new ZEISS AxioZoom microscope allows routine to advanced high-resolution multiscale fluorescence, confocal, transmitted and reflected imaging of slides, multi-well plates and intact plant specimen. This motorized system allows advanced automation to create large area maps and sophisticated multi-location and analysis routines. To support these new data acquisition capabilities we have added Intellesis for machine learning based image segmentation and ZEN Connect correlative microscopy workspace.

Array Tomography
The ABL added the DelsciMachine micromanipulator and Diatome Jumbo Histology diamond knife accessories to its Leica Ultramicrotome. These new additions allow researchers to collect long ribbons of plastic embedded “serial” sections that enable the creation of 3D images of large areas of plant cells and tissues with light and/or electron microscopy.