The ability to associate specific molecules, functions, or activities with particular cellular structures has been and continues to be an important element of biological research. The introduction of recent technological innovations, including digital imaging methods, to biological imaging is significantly expanding the range of information that can be obtained with respect to cellular structure and function. 

The Weis Center for Research possesses the following instrumentation and technical expertise for biological imaging:

• Conventional light and fluorescence microscopy – microscopes (inverted and upright format) are equipped with digital cameras for image collection and software for image processing and analysis; microscopes are linked to a central file server to facilitate image file storage and manipulation.
• Confocal microscopy – Leica TCS SP2 laser scanning confocal microscope with prism spectrometer head.
• Electron microscopy – JEOL JEM-1200EX transmission-scanning electron microscope.

Conventional histology and immunohistochemistry are also available through a research histology core housed in the Weis Center for Research that is co-managed with the Department of Laboratory Medicine. 

In addition, Weis Center scientists are utilizing cutting-edge cell imaging applications in their research. These include bi-molecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) to image protein-protein association in live cells and total internal reflection (TIRF) microscopy to image protein movement and membrane dynamics.