The John Innes Centre receives strategic funding from BBSRC
The John Innes Centre receives strategic funding from BBSRC
Bioimaging at the John Innes Centre.Confocal laser microscopy (LM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) underpin many research areas at JIC. JIC has been a leader in applying 3D and confocal fluorescence microscopy (imaging) in plant biology for many years. The continuing development of imaging technology and image processing, combined with its importance as a tool for functional genomics, are together driving current developments in bioimaging. For example, using genomics and proteomics it is possible to identify the components of cellular structures. However, to understand how they function it is necessary to determine their location within the cell and/or subcellular compartments. Immunofluorescence and GFP techniques permit analysis at the tissue and cellular level, while immunogold/epitope tagging allows detailed subcellular level investigation in the TEM. Current bioimaging equipment at JIC includes 4 state-of-the-art confocal microscopes, two high performance cryo-SEMs, and a TEM. Future DevelopmentsIn the future we will need access to high speed/low light level microscopy, to enable detailed dynamic analysis of living plants and cells. Conventional confocal microscopes are limited, both in their sensitivity and speed, but cooled CCD cameras are providing much better sensitivity, which allows lower and less destructive light levels to be used. This approach can be combined with computer image deconvolution. A recent development is the combination of high sensitivity CCD detection with spinning disc confocal imaging. This technology is able to image thick, complex structures, such as whole plants, at low light levels and much higher speeds than conventional confocal microscopy, without inducing photodamage or phototoxicity. GFP techniquesIt is now possible to analyse the dynamics of cellular and sub-cellular structures and processes in vivo by using GFP and other markers. This technology is complemented by the availability of entire genome sequences, so that it is now possible, in principal, to target any gene of interest and tag its product with GFP. The location, movement and association of the gene product can then be monitored in vivo via the fluorescent GFP tag. Combining the tools of 3D imaging and GFP technology has expanded the range of phenotypes that can be analysed and this approach is playing an ever more important role in the functional analysis of genes. Other imaging groups on the Norwich Research Park
Microscopy websiteThe Bioimaging Team have launched a website which aims to answer many of the questions asked of them from members of the public and, in particular, teachers and students. They hope the website will provide basic educational information and inspire you to learn more about microscopy. See www.jic.ac.uk/microscopy/
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