MIH, University of Toronto

OVERVIEW:

The aim of the Murine Imaging and Histology (MIH) core is to facilitate the morphologic analysis of wild-type and genetically modified mice, principally through optical-based methods. Our primary focus is analysis of the murine central nervous system, as mice represent an increasingly valuable system for modeling aspects of human neuronal injury and disease. The facility is designed to allow investigators to observe and characterize structural alterations at both the regional and cell-specific level. These facilities also allow researchers to perform a variety of gene transduction experiments on primary cells, in either in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo contexts. Funds for these facilities were provided through grants to the facility director by the Canadian Foundation for Innovation - New Opportunities Fund, the Ontario Innovation Trust, and the Canadian Institute for Health Research. Instructions for account set-up and equipment fees are indicated below. Facility fees are determined on a strict cost-recovery basis. The MIH Core is located on the 9th floor of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy,144 College Ave (Corner of University and College). The MIH Core hosts and maintains both the NeuroMouse and the Antibody / Epitope Registry (AERD) databases for use by academic investigators. The Murine Imaging and Histology Core also works in partnership (see inventions) with the Laboratory for Collaborative Diagnostics, which is working to develop economical disseminated open-source diagnostics and data processing paradigms.

MIH, Head:

Dr. Jeffrey Henderson
Phone: (416) 946-3090
Urgent: (647) 880-1521
Email: jeff.henderson@utoronto.ca

MIH, SERVICES:

Microscopy:
Fluorescent Microscopy
Standard histology
Time-lapse, deconvolution imaging

Microinjection / Electrophysiology Scope
Explant / slice imaging
Analysis of neural morphometry
Microinjection of neural cells / tissues
Microelectroporation (see below)

Image processing
Image processing (2D)
Image processing (3D reconstruction)
Related: (experimental databases, data archiving,)

Histology:
Sample processing and embedding
Wax sectioning - Microtome
Frozen sectioning - Cryostat

Transfection of primary cells / tissues:
Focal neural imaging - microinjection
Explant transfection - biolistic transfection
Transfection of primary tissues - electroporation

Data services:
Experiment databases
Data archiving / Offline storage

Microsurgery:
Surgical laser system
Stereotactic surgical atlases (murine)

Analyses of motor control:
Gait analysis
Electromyography

Account Setup / Pricing:

To see details of each service and rates, please see the appropriate pages indicated above. Investigators wishing to set up an account may do so by completing the following form. Completed application forms can then be emailed to the facility administrator. Investigators will be sent their MIH ID and passwords via email once an account is established. Investigator rates for services are indicated on each page description.

The MIH occasionally receives requests for fee-for-service pricing for histology and immunology beyond collaborative arrangement. I attach the following for laboratories looking for such arrangements as given by our sister institution.

- Jeffey Henderson
Director, Murine Imaging and Histology Core Facility