Molecular Imaging Unit (MIU) is an imaging core facility that provides molecular imaging and image analysis services for state-of-the-art multidimensional, high-speed wide-field and confocal imaging of both fixed and live cells and tissues, as well as whole animal imaging, cell-based high-throughput screening, and image analysis. These services are provided for both the Helsinki research community and outside customers.

Our instruments include Cellomics ArrayScan 4.5 high content screening system, Zeiss LSM 5 Duo and LSM 510 META confocal laser scanning microscopes, Zeiss/3i Stallion HSI high-speed live cell imaging system, Caliper Lifesciences Xenogen IVIS 100 whole animal imaging system, Axiovert 200 inverted epifluorescence microscope, and two imaging workstations with deconvolution and image processing/analysis software (Autoquant X AutoDeblur, Media Cybernetics ImageProPlus 6.1, and 3i Slidebook).

In addition to user training, support, and instrumentation care, MIU organizes imaging courses, workshops, and seminars. Please check our webpage for the oncoming events.

MIU was established during 2004 with the aid of Biocentrum Helsinki, Academy of Finland Infrastructure Program 2004, and the Center of Excellence in Cancer Biology.

Professor Marikki Laiho is the director of MIU (Tel: +1 4105029748; Address: Division of Molecular Radiation Sciences, Department of Radiation Oncology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, Room 444, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA).

MIU is located in the Biomedicum Helsinki Research Centre, room B501b, on the 5th floor. For instructions on how to find us, see the maps and external links on our Maps page.

MIU belongs to the Biomedicum Imaging Unit (BIU) , which also includes the Cell Imaging Unit (CIU). MIU is a member of the Helsinki Functional Imaging Center (HFIC) and European Light Microscopy Initiative (ELMI). HFIC is a member of the European Institute for Biomedical Imaging Research (EIBIR) and Nordic Network on Imaging in Medicine and Biology. In October 2008, the Life Sciences and Medicine & Environmental Assessment Panel identified HFIC as a national level Research Infrastructure. More information in the LME panel roport (in Finnish). In July 2007, MIU was listed as a "Research Infrastructure of European interest recognized by the European Commission (EC), European Science Foundation (ESF), and European Heads of Research Councils (EuroHORCs)". For more information, see the EC/ESF "Trends in European Research Infrastructures" report (July 2007).

Announcement

I am pleased to announce that we have concluded our international search for the Imaging Coordinator position at the Molecular Imaging Unit. Among several excellent candidates, we were lucky to engage Dr. Anthony Squire from Kent, UK. He is an internationally recognized imaging expert with extensive experience in imaging instrumentation hardware and software development and application of these skills to biological models including monitoring of protein interactions and dynamics in cells. He obtained his Ph.D. degree in physics at the University of Essex, and has worked at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund and EMBL for close to 10 years. He has been a speaker and instructor of several EMBL imaging courses round the world.

I am thrilled at his joining us, and the unique set of skills and visions he has for the future development of MIU. He is keenly looking forward to work with you, and is especially interested to learn more of your projects, and how imaging and his expertise will enable you to apply new advances to your work.

Anthony will be starting with us 1.1.2010.

Please join me, Mikko and Jussi in welcoming Anthony to MIU and Biomedicum Helsinki!

Marikki Laiho,
Director, MIU

• Fluorescent label and filter spectrum viewers page added to "Other information". Old MIU staff members moved to their own page. Past MIU teaching on a single page in "Courses an seminars (26.10.2009)
• The MIU has found a new Imaging Coordinator, Dr. Anthony Squire. He has worked previously at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund and the EMBL. He will be starting at the MIU 1.1.2010. (15.10.2009)
• Harris Ingle from Merritt College (Oakland, California) will have his internship in MIU from June 23rd to August 5th. Harris is attending the Merritt Microscopy Program. (18.6.2008)
• The MIU will be teaching of the Imaging module of the Measurement techniques for bioinformatics course on 31.3, 1.4, 7.4 and 8.4. The course practicals will create extra activity in the MIU facilities. (27.3.2009)
• MIU, HFIC, and HBGS are organizing a practical course on advanced imaging technologies that will start on Monday, April 27, 2009. For more information, visit Courses and seminars page (18.03.2009).
• Instructions for using the notifier function of Scheduler added on the Reservations page (27.2.2009)
• A new mailing list has been opened for those confocal microscope users who would like to inform each other on their cancelled Scheduler reservations (27.2.2008).
• xCELLigence seminar will be given by Juhana Heinonen (Roche) on Tuesday, January 20, at 10am in Biomedicum, seminar room 8-9. For more information, visit Courses and seminars page (Others) (7.1.2009).
• MIU staff (Anne, Jussi, and Mikko) will be attending the annual Finnish imaging core facility staff meeting in Jyväskylä on January 12-13 . Thus, MIU office will be closed during those two days. Ville will be available for image analysis services. For his new contact information, visit the MIU personnel web page. (7.1.2009)

• Turku BioImaging Photo Competition: The Bioimage of the Year 2009
  The call for CEMP postdoctoral fellowships in Ireland is open. Deadline for applications is June 3, 2009. For more information, visit the NBIPI web site (18.5.2009)
• The "Zeiss on your campus" tour is visiting the Biomedicum on 18-20.5. (27.3.2009)

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Page updated 26.10.2009

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