Imaging Center

The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) Imaging Center provides investigators with access to cutting-edge imaging technologies and expertise in the fields of electron microscopy, confocal, two-photon and super-resolution microscopy, to achieve tasks from ultrastructural visualization to subcellular imaging of live tissue. The Imaging Center offers training, support, and advice concerning image acquisition, experimental design, and data analysis, and collaborates with investigators to develop novel imaging approaches and techniques.

High-resolution imaging is a critical tool for neuroscience and cell biology alike, with new technologies and methods constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Yet for individual laboratories, keeping pace with all the novel developments and breakthroughs, acquiring and maintaining new equipment, and understanding the intricacies of each imaging method is hard to do. Instead, the Imaging Center at the Max Planck Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) provides access to state-of-the art-imaging capabilities in conjunction with the necessary scientific expertise and experience in the fields of electron microscopy, confocal- and super-resolution microscopy. The Imaging Center offers training in use of the microscopes, provides technical assistance for imaging, sample preparation, labeling and other techniques, and assists with data and image analysis, experimental design and the interpretation of experimental results. In collaboration with researchers, the Imaging Center develops novel techniques to overcome existing experimental limitations and to advance the field. Furthermore, the Imaging Center is actively engaged in the various education outreach initiatives at the MPFI, from training high school and undergraduate interns to teaching in advanced imaging courses and workshops. Finding the right tool for the job is difficult – we are here to help.

Electron Microscopy

Our Electron Microscopy Core provides innovative ultrastructural visualization technologies based on collaborations with investigators, offering expertise, training, and support in the latest technologies and advances in the field.

learn more

Light Microscopy

Light Microscopy Core provides state-of-the-art technology for imaging living cells and tissues and collaborates with investigators to develop and implement novel imaging technologies.

learn more

STED Microscopy

Stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy was developed by 2014 Nobel Prize Winner Stefan W. Hell and enables imaging fluorescent structures in sub-diffraction detail, improving the achievable spatial resolution of confocal microscopy by an order of magnitude. With our STED microscope users can visualize sub-cellular structures, protein clusters and other nanoscopic details with ease, achieving (isotropic) spatial resolution in the tens of nanometers.

learn more