Advanced Imaging and Microscopy Laboratory

AIM Core Lab Mission

North Dakota State University Advanced Imaging and Microscopy Laboratory (AIM Lab) was established as a core facility to serve a wide range of faculty, students and researchers at NDSU along with their collaborators from outside of the University. The AIM Lab mission is to provide access to and training support for cutting edge microscopy and image analysis technologies for research and teaching endeavors at NDSU campus and beyond. AIM Lab services provided to the NDSU community include training and support in various microscopy techniques, sample collection and histological preparation, data and image analyses, and generation of publication quality figures for manuscript and grant proposal preparation.

To date, the facility has provided invaluable training and teaching opportunities for faculty, students, staff, and post-doctoral researchers in diverse areas of basic and applied science including infectious diseases of plants and animals, plant breeding, reproductive physiology, animal nutrition, meat science and muscle biology, cell biology, microbiology, pharmacology, cereal and food science, material sciences, and polymers and coatings.

Visit our AIM Histology Lab

Imaging Equipment

Zeiss AxioImager M2

Zeiss AxioImager M2 fully motorized upright microscope with advanced epifluorescence (Colibri2), ApoTome2 attachment for structured illumination 3D imaging, DIC, Zeiss AxioCam MRm Rev3 blackand white and Zeiss AxioCam HRc Rev3 color cameras, AvioVision Rev 4.8.1 microscope and image analyses software.

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Zeiss AxioOberserver Z1

Zeiss AxioObserver Z1, fully motorized inverted scope with LSM700 laser scanning head attachment with possibility to use FRET FRAP and TIRF, advanced epifluorescence, ApoTome attachment for structured illumination 3D imaging, DIC and PlasDIC set, Definite Focus, heated stage, environmental control chamber (O2,CO2, and humidity) for time-lapse cell culture related experiments with Zeiss Axio Cam MRc Rev3 black and white, and Zeiss HRc Rev3 color camera and Zeiss Zen Black along with Zeiss AxioVision Rev. 4.8.1 microscope control and image analysis software.

Microscope with monitor and confocal image

Zeiss Laser Microdissection and Pressure Catapulting System

Zeiss Laser Microdissection and Pressure Catapulting System; Zeiss AxioObserver Z1 fully motorized inverted scope platform with PALM MicroBeam IV System with AxioCam ICc R4 and Zeiss AvioCam Hrc Rev3 color cameras for brightfield and Photometrics CoolSnap CF black and white camera; advanced fluorescence, PlasDIC set, RoboSoftware Pro and Zeiss AxioVision Rev.4.8.1 image capture, system control and image analysis software.

Microscope with monitor with image of cells

Zeiss Lumar, V12 stereo motorized microscope

Zeiss Lumar, V12 stereo motorized microscope, fluorescence and bright field, with Zeiss AxioCam HRc. Rev3 color camera, Photomertics CoolSnap ES black and white high resolution camera, equipped with NeoLumar S 0.8x WD=80mm and NeoLumar S 1.5x WD=80mm long working distance lenses, heated stage; and Zeiss AxioVision Rev. 4.8.1 microscope control and image analysis software.

Stereo Microscope

MoticEasyScan One, Desktop Slide Scanner

MoticEasyScan One desktop slide scanner for digital slide application. System scans and shares slides with a single click, or allows for live mode direct specimen observation.
MoticEasyScan scanners use a specially designed high-NA Plan Apochromatic objective (20X/0.75) to maximize color fidelity and resolution power. It is combined with a large 2/3" CCD sensor. the MoticEasyScan can image large fields of view in a split second, while delivering image detail equivalent to a high power 40X lens.

desktop digital slide scanner

Leica Mica Microhub

Leica Mica Microhub for widefield and confocal imaging in a sample protecting, incubating environment. More than a highly automated microscope, With the simple push of a button, this system everything researchers need - all in one place - to supercharge fluorescence imaging workflows and get meaningful scientific results. Mica unifies transmitted and fluorescence light imaging modalities. You can select from multiple imaging modalities all within one Microhub, including widefield, confocal, THUNDER imaging, LIGHTNING, Z-stacks, time-lapse and more. Is designed to function as a slide scanned and powerful live cell imaging system. Mica is an incubator: the entire encapsulated inner sample space can be climate controlled (temperature, CO2 and humidity regulation with capability oh creating hypoxia conditions) and offers ideal conditions for short and long-term live cell observation.

Confocal microhub with computer and monitor

Image Analysis and Data Reporting

  • Image-Pro Software: This is a comprehensive image analysis package suited for 2D, 3D and 4D image analysis for which specialized training will be provided on an application-specific basis. The software includes applications allowing to process and enhance images, measure distances areas, track objects measure intensity, automatically count and classify, automate tasks, share work, and create raptors in Excel, PowerPoint, Pdf and other formats.

  • Imaris Software: This advanced 2D, 3D and 4D analysis software package consists of the core confocal image analysis software along with Measurement Pro, Imaris Track, Imaris Coloc, ImarisXT and Imaris InPress. Imaris is very well suited to more advanced segmentation for identification of individual cells in tissue. Imaris Measurement Pro enables the calculation and display of many statistical measurements from both voxel data and segmented objects. It permits interactive 3D distance and line intensity measurements, and a means to construct 3D surface objects from 2D drawn contours. ImarisTrack permits automatic and manual tracking of the movement over time of individually labeled particles, including cells, molecules, nucleic acids, lipids and many others that can be segmented in Imaris. Tracking is possible on both surface objects and spot objects created with Imaris. ImarisColoc enables one to quantify and document co-distribution or colocalization of multiply-stained biological components. ImarisXT provides a customizable Java user interface to exchange image data with other applications and the interface can be integrated using programming languages such as Matlab®, Java® and Phython®, in addition to having an older COM-based interface, and permits the use of ImageJ/Fiji plug-ins. Imaris InPress provides a tool to create figures of all Imaris views including titles, captions, labels, and other annotations for presentations or publications, and can do so in 2D, 3D or 4D. Such files can also be exported as html files. Imaris is both Mac and PC-compatible and temporary licenses can be provided to core users who are not able to use the image analysis PC. Several image analysis workstations are available for scheduled use and are updated with latest licenses and modules. Training tutorials and software support are available.

AIM Core Laboratory Location

Contact Information and Office Hours:

The AIM lab is centrally located on campus in Hultz Hall between Albrecht Blvd and Bolley Drive. Hultz Hall is also home of the Animal Sciences and the Entomology departments. The AIM Core Lab is located on the second floor of Hultz Hall (room 203).

Users and potential users are welcome to come and discuss projects, training, and use of the AIM Core Lab. Dr. Borowicz serves as Director of the AIM Core Lab To ensure Dr. Borowicz’s availability and access to the Core Lab, please schedule appointments ahead of time by phone or email. Dr. Borowicz will return your emails and phone messages as soon as possible. Approved users will soon be able to schedule their own appointments to use the equipment utilizing our online calendar system.