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.
Imaging Equipment
Image Analysis and Data Reporting
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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.