Investigators and Program Directors

Program Description and Research Interests

The Advanced Light Microscopy and Image Analysis (ALM&IA) core is a resource for investigators within the Wadsworth Center as well as those from outside institutions who require advanced light microscopy (LM) and/or image analysis as part of their research programs. Examples of these techniques are: 6D-wide field fluorescence microscopy, deconvolution, long-term imaging (transmitted and/or fluorescent) in a near homeostatic environment, and fluorescent recovery after photo bleaching (FRAP). There are also two state-of-the-art confocal microscopes (Leica SP5) in the core for imaging thicker samples. The facility supplies equipment, technical expertise and consumable supplies for various LM studies.

Core personnel work along side investigators who may lack the technical expertise needed to develop imaging strategies and image analysis protocols needed to solve their research questions.

My research interests are in developing imaging/analysis solution to solve biological questions. In the past, I designed and built a combined laser microsurgery optical trapping workstation that allowed investigators to ablate part of or entire organelles within a living cell. Currently, I am working on two new projects. The first is investigating the use of LEDs as illumination sources in microscopy, both for transmitted and fluorescent imaging modes. The second is developing optical projection tomography (OPT) which is a hybrid technique that collects 360° rotational series, similar to CAT or NMR scans, but uses a light microscope. The resolution is significantly higher than a CAT or NMR and allows objects up to 5 ml to be imaged.

Contact Information

Mailing address:
Biggs Laboratory
Wadsworth Center
NYS Department of Health
Empire State Plaza
P.O. Box 509
Albany, New York 12201-0509

Phone 518-474-7048
E-mail: rcole@wadsworth.org