University of Iowa Central Microscopy Research Facility (CMRF)

The University of Iowa Central Microscopy Research Facility (CMRF) is a comprehensive, core imaging resource that continues a long tradition of supporting the research needs of investigators in Iowa and across the globe. Founded in 1971 as a Transmission Electron Microscopy facility, CMRF has expanded to four locations and nine full-time staff members that support three hundred faculty and private industry clients.

The CMRF staff currently oversee ten confocal microscopes (including one Raman spectroscopy and two multiphoton system), and over a dozen fluorescence imaging systems (upright, inverted, stereoscope, long-term live-cell, TIRF, etc.) Many of these systems utilize X-Cite® light sources.

"The ease of bulb replacement and longevity are key features to consider," said Randy Nessler, Director of CMRF. "Especially important is that re-alignment is not necessary, which can be difficult and time-consuming on particular systems. Bulb stability is especially critical to our long-term live cell imaging experiments, some of which exceed a week in duration, and is a highly valued feature of the X-Cite® systems."

In addition to confocal and wide-field fluorescence techniques, this world-class facility offers an unmatched suite of imaging, analytical and support equipment including:

• Field emission, analytical, and cryo TEM and SEM systems
• High pressure freezing, freeze fracture, freeze substitution
• Bioluminescence imaging
• Scanning probe microscopy
• X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
• Fully automated histology processors and stainers
• Laser capture microscopy
• 2-, 3- and 4-D data analysis and visualization

CMRF offers three courses in light and electron techniques for beginning and advanced students.

Website: www.uiowa.edu/~cmrf/ | Contact: Randy Nessler