These imaging systems are spread out across 5 sites, with each site acting as a specialist in its own field. Each platform has acquired significant levels of know-how and expertise in its own area, a factor that is equally as important as the physical infrastructure that is housed at the site.

The wide range of technological platforms available reflects the diversity of research that is carried out at the platform which extends from the study of molecular dynamics within the cell nucleus (normal and cancerous) to spatial and functional organization of cells in tissue (neuroscience, oncology and ontology).

Multi Site Platforms

Site 1: Technical Platform (MBIOP) Biophysical Microscopy
Laboratory for Physical Spectrometry: University Campus Saint Martin d'Hères

Site 2 : Technical Platform (IIAB) Cellular Imaging
Institut Albert Bonniot, Campus Santé de La Tronche

Site 3: Technical Platform (ICTiss) Cellular and Tissue Imaging
Laboratoire TIMC-IMAG, Faculté de médecine, Campus Santé de La Tronche

Site 4; Technical Platform (MBIG-MEC) Intravital, biophotonic microscopy
Institut de Neurologie Grenoble (GIN), Campus Santé de La Tronche

Site 5: Technical Platform (DMICT) Cellular and molecular detection in-situ
DACP Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Campus Santé de La Tronche

Overview by site

Technical platform (MBIOP) Biophysical Microscopy  - Site 1
Owner : Université Joseph Fourier Grenoble
Services available: A collection of optical microscopes dedicated to molecular and cellular biophysical research which form the basis of study for developments in instrumentation and tracers (fluorescence etc)
Platform specifics: Instrumental developments and methodologies in confocal microscopy (FCS) and TIRF for living cells and biochips; ultra sensitive microscopy for objects in turbid solutions
Approximate size: 150 m2

Technical platform (IAB – Cellular Imaging) - Site 2
Owner : Université Joseph Fourier Grenoble
Services available: Management, use and updates for microscopy and microspectroscopy.  Development and validation of new methods in fluorescent microscopy; Training and user support, assistance with protocol development; Set up for R&D projects with external teams; Dissemination of know-how, theoretic and practical development
Platform specialties: Developments in methodologies for confocal microscopy, biphotonic microscopy, FCS, FLIM, spectral fluorescent microscopy, oncology and ontology
Approximate size : 100m2

Technical platform ICTiss (cellular and tissue imaging) - Site 3
Owner: Université Joseph Fourier Grenoble
Services available: Confocal microscopy, spectral fluorescent microscopy, video microscopy, digital holographic microscopy, Atomic force microscopy
Platform specialties: Expertise and development of image analysis, quantification in microscopy
Approximate size: 100m2

Technical platform MBIG-MEC (Intravital biphotonic microscopy) - Site 4
Location : Institut de Neurologie Grenoble, Campus santé de La Tronche   
Owner : Université Joseph Fourier Grenoble
Services available: Non-linear optical imaging, biphotonic (2ph) and second harmonic generation (GSH) on tissue and living animals and in particular for neuro-biological and neuro-oncological applications. Cellular imaging is not excluded from the moment that it is linked to in-vivo manipulations. Electronic microscopy and provision of equipment for experienced users. Preparation of biological samples for morphological studies (coloration, inclusion, ultra-thin cuts)
Site Specialties: Development of animal models for intra-vital optical imaging, potential to temporarily stock and source mice and rats (to a maximum of 20) in the GIN quarantine (GIN – Grenoble Institute of Neurosciences)
Approximate size: 200 m2

Technical platform DMICT (molecular detection for cells and tissue in-situ) - Site 5
Owner: DACP Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Albert Michallon
Services available: Protein detection of DNA, RNA nucleotides in either healthy or pathological tissues. Intra-cellular or intra-tissue marker topography, histological services, automated immunohistochemical processes and in-situ hybridization, standardization of procedures for DNA chips, laser micro dissection (PALM LCS) combined with automated extraction (RNA)
Site Specialties:  in-situ identification of proteins in tissue (immunohistochemistry) and nucleotide sequences, genomic DNA, RNA, oncology
Approximate size: 250 m2

Equipment Available

Physical Spectrometry platform
•  Confocal scanning microscope (2008)
•  Bi-photon microscope (prototype) : 2003
•  Microspectrofluorimeter
•  TIRF microscope (prototype) : 2008 LOFI (Laser Optical Feedback Imaging) micro imaging by laser retro diffusion : 2005
•  Optical tweezers :2000

Institut Albert Bonniot (IAB) Site
•  Zeiss laser confocal scanning microscope: LSM 510 NLO : 2002
•  Tsunami pulse laser (coupled with avec LSM 510) Spectra Physics : 2002
•  Fluorescence correlated spectrometer (linked to LSM 510) Zeiss, Confocor II : 2001
•  Videomicroscopy workstation with incubation chamber + image processing software 1999
•  Rapid video microscopy workstation with TIRF module + image processing software 2006
•  FRET detection system by fluorescent resolution (for ongoing analysis) and Becker&Hickl spectral
imaging system: 2005

TIMC laboratory
•  Digital holographic microscope : currently being procured
•  Zeiss LSM410 confocal scanning microscope : 1994
•  Atomic force microscope : 2007
•  Spectral microscope : 2005
•  Video microscopy workstation with incubation chamber + image processing software

Institute of  Neurologie, Grenoble (MIBIG-MEC)
•  Biphotonic microscope (ZEISS LSM 710 NLO) + LASER Ti :Sa, Chameleon Vision II : 2009
•  Confocal scanning microscope (LEICA TCS SPE) : 2008CCD: 2009
•  Electronic transmission microscope (JEOL JEM-1200 EX II) + TEM CCD camera VELETA : microscope: 1994
•  CCD Camera:1994
•  Ultra cryomicrotome : 1994

Site Centre Hospitalo Universitaire Grenoble (DMICT)
•  Palm laser micro dissector 1999 upgraded 2004
•  IHC and HIS robots 2007-2008

Additional services

Training sessions
The various different sections of the platform regularly organise training sessions in collaboration with the UJF, INSERM (National Institute for health and medical research). The following are some examples of the training courses that are offered by the platform:
•  Initiation into confocal microscopy (aimed at researchers, technicians, engineers and PhD students)
•  Initiation into biphotonic microscopy
•  Mastering image segmentation in microscopy

Contacts
Marie-Gabrielle Jouan
+33 (0)4 76 00 00 61
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