Current Environment:

*The Cellular Imaging Core labs located in ARCH and Enders will open on June 3, 2020. The Cellular Imaging Core labs located in CLS will be opening on June 8, 2020. Please review our new COVID-19 standard operating procedures before booking or arriving to the core.

Our mission

The Cellular Imaging Core (CIC) provides investigators with affordable access to state-of the-art microscopy and powerful image-analysis software. We offer free training and consultation services to achieve optimal images for individual research programs. Located mainly in CLS, the core continuously explores new technologies, and has invested heavily in new equipment and image analysis software. Lastly, we are committed to maintaining this core as a central resource for neuroscience research at Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

Our science and innovation 

Increasingly sophisticated methods to visualize tissue/cellular structure/neuronal circuits and to monitor real-time molecular interactions and biochemical reactions have contributed to recent progress both in developmental neurobiology and in studying neuro-developmental disorders. Current advancement has been augmented by access to specific antibodies for immunostaining, cloning of nucleic acids and in situ hybridization, new dyes and cell labeling techniques, in combination with a diverse array of powerful new microscopes.

Imaging technologies, such as stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy, laser scanning confocal microscopy, multiphoton excitation fluorescence, and WF epifluorescence are offered on site. Spinning Disk confocal microscopy and Array Tomography offer greatly increased resolution of cellular processes and require sophisticated analysis programs. Lastly, we uniquely offer scientific expertise in two photon imaging studies (consulting or projects).

We are supported by the NIH Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center Grant (U54 HD090255) and the IDDRC.

Learn more about the Cellular Imaging Core.