Resources
Select a category below:
Consultations regarding experiment design and protocols are available upon request.
Electron Microscopy Resources
Rigor and Reproducibility
The SEM and TEM microscopes are calibrated several times each week with the aid of a magnification calibration diffraction grating replica. In addition, representatives from JEOL's technical service department conduct a rigorous twice-yearly performance evaluation/testing of the electron microscopes to ensure proper function. Preventive maintenance on the equipment is also scheduled during the performance evaluation period. Test samples submitted from investigators are always compared with control specimens.
Sample Preparation Protocols
A detailed set of protocols is provided to the investigator regarding the preparation of samples for SEM and TEM. In the majority of cases the investigator fixes the sample with fixative prepared by SIMR staff and SIMR staff performs subsequent processing. Screening of samples with the assistance of technical support is recommended at all times. Background references on the particular investigation are usually requested by SIMR to ensure that the correct fixatives and specific information regarding the specimen is known before the analysis.
Paper Submission Resources
To be included in the methods section of grant or manuscript submissions
Optical Microscopy Resources
Spectra Viewers for Planning Labeling with Fluorophores
Zeiss Confocal and Lightsheet ZEN Software
IMARIS Tutorials
IF Staining for Confocal and Multiphoton Microscopy
Life-Canvas Clearing and Immunofluorescence Staining Protocols
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Outline
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Perfusion
To reduce autofluorescence or nonspecific antibody labeling; recommended for all tissues and organs.
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SHIELD Epoxide Crosslinking
Tissue preservation protocols and reagents required to preserve tissue architecture and epitopes before tissue clearing
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Passive Clearing
Detergent-mediated delipidation by diffusion; recommended for smaller tissues and organs.
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SmartClear Pro II Active Clearing
Stochastic electrotransport to more rapidly drive detergent-based delipidation; recommended for large organs.
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SmartLabel Active Staining
Stochastic electrotransport for rapid, homogeneous whole organ immunofluorescence staining.
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Tissue Specific Delipidation Advanced Protocols
Recommendations for fatty (fDISCO), heme-rich (e.g., liver) and other difficult samples.