The Cell Observatory houses cutting-edge bio imaging technology and
other facilities, aimed at visualizing the dynamic structures of life -
from molecule to cell.
The set-up of an atomic force microscope includes a very small tip that (almost) contacts the surface of a specimen. While scanning the sample, the tip moves up and down. This movement is followed and measured, resulting in an image of the surface with nanometer scale resolution. Atomic force microscopy does not only result in images, but is also widely used in force spectroscopy experiments. It can be used to study almost any type of surface.
This form of microscopy is based on the interaction of a beam of electrons with a specimen. The interaction results in signals that contain a lot of information, for instance about a specimen’s surface topography or chemical identity. The wavelengths of electrons are very small, enabling us to examine structures with more precision than light microscopy.
Light microscopy is the oldest form of microscopy and is based on visible light and lenses. Light microscopes can make use of the absorption or interference of light with a specimen in order to create an image. Fluorescent probes play a major role in the field of light microscopy. These so-called fluorophores enable us to study processes in living cells that cannot be visualized using other methods.
After excitation with a laser, cells can scatter and emit light in different ways. This depends on their size, granularity, GFP-expression or other characteristics. In a flow cytometer, a stream of fluid containing cells passes through a laser beam. The scattered and emitted light is picked up by a detector. In this way cells can be counted and analyzed, based on one or more properties. Flow cytometry can also be combined with cell sorting.
If a beam of X-rays hits a sample, the beam is diffracted into many directions. This diffraction is recorded with a detector and results in a diffraction pattern. From the diffraction pattern, properties of the sample can be calculated using special software. This method can be used for determining the arrangement and properties of atoms in molecules.
Different atoms absorb and emit electromagnetic radiation in different ways. Electromagnetic spectrometry makes use of these properties to analyze compounds in a sample. The technology is used for determining the presence of a specific substance, quantifying the amount of a specific substance or analyzing compound mixtures.
Before data can be generated, cells have to be cultured, molecules have to be crystallized and samples have to be prepared. Support facilities enable these time consuming, but crucial steps of the research process.
Equipment in the Cell Observatory is used to generate raw data. This still has to be processed in order to reveal information that will otherwise stay hidden. We use and develop special software to extract information from raw data and support the research process. Possible applications are high throughput image analysis, deconvolution and databases.
