Microscopy Facility

Our optical microscopy core supports cutting-edge research across a wide range of biological systems, including live-cell imaging, bacterial studies, viral infections, drug mechanism-of-action, neurodegenerative disease, and cellular aging using mouse, zebrafish, and C. elegans models. The suite includes nine dedicated microscope bays (seven currently equipped) and offers advanced capabilities such as super-resolution confocal, single-molecule TIRF, fluorescence lifetime imaging, light sheet microscopy, laser microirradiation for protein dynamics, and in vivo imaging. The facility was established through a $3 million investment—$300,000 for suite construction and $2.7 million for acquiring and customizing high-end systems. We also provide expert consultation and support in image processing and automated image analysis to help researchers extract high-quality quantitative data. As a vital research hub, this core drives innovation, supports interdisciplinary collaboration across multiple departments within UTMB, and significantly enhances our department’s scientific competitiveness.