Mouse Core: PI:Astar Winoto
Namsil An
namsil@berkeley.edu
The ability to manipulate the mouse genome through transgenic and knock-out or knock-in technologies has revolutionized modern Immunology. The Transgenic/Knockout Mouse Core provides the critical technical capability to generate and to maintain transgenic and mutant mice commonly used by multiple investigators.
In particular, this Core will complement the Imaging Core to provide transgenic mice expressing fluorescent proteins to be used for the imaging studies. The Core will also generate and distribute transgenic strains of mice as needed by the individual investigators.
Infectious Disease BL2 Facility: This core facility is located in a dedicated closed lab space that houses Tissue culture hoods, CO2 incubators, various small equipment and a high-end microscope. This facility will provide titrated viral stocks for use by other PO1 investigators. Viruses to be made include various classes of DNA and RNA viruses (e.g. Mouse Cytomegalovirus, Adenovirus, Herpes Simplex Virus, Influenza, vaccinia, Encephalomyocarditis virus, Polyomavirus, Murine Leukemia Virus, Minute virus, and Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus).
Affiliated with the Gene Targeting Facility at UC Berkeley
Paul Herzmark
pherzmark@gmail.com
Two-photon imaging can provide dynamic information about the behavior of pathogens and immune cells in tissues during infection. Such information can provide unique insight into the course of events during infection and the impact of therapeutic treatments. However, this technique is outside the reach of many investigators due to the cost of purchasing and maintaining equipment, and the challenges in preparing samples and analyzing data. This research core makes this powerful tool by: (1) working with individual labs on pilot studies to determine the optimal experimental set-ups to meet individual imaging goal, (2) expanding existing imaging equipment to provide more access, and (3) assisting individual labs to make use of quantitation software and perform mathematical analysis of visual data.
Imaging Equipment:
1) Custom built upright 2-photon microscope for looking deeper into tissue.
Capable of 30 frames/sec
Four simultaneous colors
suitable for time-lapse imaging of tissues and mice. (in room 432 LSA)
Based on design described at Max Krummel’s website:
http://www.ucsf.edu/pathol/krummel/2PhotonHome.html
2) Live cell inverted microscope for time lapse imaging of cells in tissue culture dishes or on slides.
This extremely automated microscope has computer controlled motors for
the X,Y stage, Z (focus) control , fluorescent filter cubes, emission and excitation filter wheels, condenser and the objectives. It also has a temperature and gas controlled incubator.
The operating software is optimized for quantitative analysis of fluorescent images. (in room LSA 211: suitable for BL2)
3) Fluorescent upright scope suitable for samples on microscope slides. It has been refurbished and has good optics and good software for quantitative imaging and deconvolution. (in room LSA 475B)