SPAIN

B-Min - Mesoscopic Imaging Node Barcelona

The Spanish B-Min – Mesoscopic Imaging Node in Barcelona provides access to state-of-the-art imaging technologies that span the mesoscopic size range. This includes samples from about half a millimetre up to a couple of centimetres, which may be embryos, embryoids, adult mouse organs, tissue samples, biopsies, plants, and many others. Both fluorescent and non-fluorescent imaging are covered through the use of light-sheet imaging and OPT. The Node is comprised of embryologists, computer scientists, imaging specialists and engineers from three different institutions: CRG, IRB and ICFO, which all belong to the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST).

Specialties and expertise of the Node

The partners of B-MIN currently represent one of the most important European centres for mesoscopic imaging. The different groups within these institutes are actively involved in technology development for OPT and/or SPIM. This research includes custom control and acquisition software, allowing us to adjust acquisition workflows according to users’ needs. In addition, the Node explores the full range of biological applications for these imaging modalities (e.g. developmental biology, immunology, disease models, etc.), and we have expertise in recent sample clearing techniques (e.g. BABB, CLARITY; CUBIC, i- & 3-Disco, etc.). We also have extensive experience in image and data analysis, including development of specific workflows combining Matlab-, Java- programming, ImageJ/Fiji software tools, 3D visualization, tracking, etc.

Offered Technologies:

• Digital scanned laser light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (DSLM)
• Optical projection tomography (OPT)
• Selective plane illumination microscopy (SPIM)

Additional services offered at the Node 

• Instruments
• Technical assistance to run instruments
• Methodological setup (e.g. design of study protocol and standard operation procedures)
• Probe preparation
• Wet lab space
• Server space
• Data processing and analysis
• Training seminar rooms

Instrument highlights

Intelligent SPIM with large samples: automated correlative imaging from overview (1x) to high resolution (>15x) over entire organs. Digitally scanned laser light sheet microscope (DSLM) working in the linear and nonlinear (TPEF) regimes and using Gaussian and Bessel beams.

Contact details

James Sharpe
Coordinator of EMBL-CRG Systems Biology Unit
james.sharpe@crg.eu
+34933160098