Quantum Super-Resolution Imaging Core

Quantum Super-Resolution Imaging Core

Monell’s super-resolution imaging core provides the most up-to-date approaches to studying the key cells and proteins of the sensory systems of smell, taste, interoception, and chemesthesis, including quantum dot technology, the subject of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

The Core also provides training and research support in anatomy and histology of chemosensory systems. Core personnel work with researchers to develop and optimize cutting-edge techniques in histology to advance the anatomical, cellular, and molecular understanding of taste, olfactory, gut, and brain systems. We provide centralized services such as tissue preparation and processing, sectioning, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization.

  • Human nasal epithelium showing cytochrome P450 enzymes (red) in both the olfactory sustentacular cells (top, green) and in Bowman's glands (bottom, green).
  • A single mouse taste bud showing sulfonylurea receptor 1 (red) located in the nucleus (blue) but not the nuclear membrane (green) of taste cells.

Click or tap each image for its description.

Quantum Dot Technology

In addition to traditional staining techniques, Monell is developing quantum dots, nanoparticles made from semiconducting materials. Their tiny size – a million times smaller than a pin head – allows for the capability to control physical properties, such as their color. For example, quantum dots could be used to tag a protein in an olfactory neuron for biochemical analysis. Dots allow for color shades of molecular markers that are more stable compared to older varieties, which is invaluable in applications ranging from large color displays to live-cell imaging.

Imaging Facility

The Quantum Imaging Core houses leading-edge microscopy capabilities for visualizing chemosensory tissues. Facility personnel provide training and assistance with experimental design, image acquisition, and data analysis.

Confocal Microscopy

  • Leica STELLARIS 5 AOBS WLL scanning confocal with Digital Lightsheet

 

Widefield Microscopy for Light and Fluorescence

  • Nikon Eclipse 80i upright microscope
  • Olympus IX70 inverted microscope
  • Olympus MVX10 stereo microscope

Please contact the Imaging Facility Director (see below) for more information on microscope training, use and rates.

"The Stellaris White Light Laser (WLL) system moves Monell to the forefront of confocal technology. It represents the 3rd major upgrade of the Leica confocal systems, a huge jump for Monell in terms of imaging capabilities that are now standard in the field," Dr. Karen Yee, Core Manager.

Core Personnel

Amber Alhadeff, PhD
Director, Imaging Core
alhadeff@monell.org
Phone: 267-519-4870

Ichiro Matsumoto, PhD
Director, Histology Core
imatsumoto@monell.org
Phone: 267-519-4778

Phuong Le, PhD
Associate Director
Joining the Monell Center in 2025.

Karen Yee, PhD,
Core Manager and Technical Director of Imaging
karenyee@monell.org
Phone: 267-519-4823

Hong Wang, PhD,
Technical Advisor
hwang@monell.org
Phone: 267-519-4773