Rapid spatial imaging of subcellular dynamics (360G-Wellcome-212892_Z_18_Z)

Dynamic cell biological processes such as trafficking and signalling are characterized by weak and transient interactions, which occur in an intrinsically noisy biochemical environment. State-of-the-art live cell imaging equipment is therefore essential for robust localization and tracking of key regulators, allowing temporal relationships and causal mechanisms to be established. To this end, we are seeking funds for an Andor Dragonfly series 500, which enables high speed and high sensitivity imaging in several modes: Spinning Disc confocal, TIRF, HILO and laser widefield. The novel spinning disc design of the Dragonfly has been created for maximum efficiency and speed of imaging on both live and fixed samples, at a wide range of size scales from single cells to tissue sections. For high temporal resolution in all imaging modes, the Dragonfly employs two-colour simultaneous detection with the latest sCMOS camera technology. Another important feature of the Dragonfly is the near infrared illumination. This will allow us to image with newly developed fluorescent probes and/or labeling strategies such as SNAP and CLIP-tag to extend the number of components in a given pathway that can be simultaneously tracked.