Neuroimaging Lab

Overview

As the complexity of biological inquiry has increased, so too have the methods of study. Light microscopy is a hallmark technique that is well-poised to explore a variety of living biological systems, and recent advances in imaging technology expand our understanding like never before. These advanced imaging methods have traditionally been challenging to implement without domain expertise in optics and its interface with biology — skill sets not commonly present in a laboratory setting.

It is the focus of the Neuroimaging Laboratory (NIML) to expand access to and competency in advanced imaging methods at the institute. We accomplish this goal through the development and implementation of new methods with external collaborators in the private and academic sectors and through a robust training program that empowers biologists to fully leverage the latest methods.

Research impact

The vast majority of scientific projects at St. Jude utilize light microscopy. This increasing competency serves as a catalyst to advance the core mission of understanding the processes that drive catastrophic pediatric diseases. Research in the Neuroimaging Laboratory (NIML) is currently focused on forging and maintaining key external collaborations to design and build custom microscopes that address critical needs in the department of Developmental Neurobiology.

Currently, the group is working on an adaptive optics enabled microscope (MOSAIC) that will allow researchers to visualize biological processes in deeper tissue layers by overcoming the optical barriers that make current methodologies difficult to apply. In parallel, the NIML is also focused on the continued development of training protocols for our instrumentation to ensure that the instruments we build and administer are used appropriately and to their fullest potential.

Key equipment

Advanced Microscopy:

Multi-modal optical scope with adaptive optics correction (MOSAIC)
Two 3i Lattice Light sheet microscopes
Miltenyi Ultramicroscope II Gaussian beam light sheet microscope

General Microscopy:

Keyence BZ-X700 series with optical sectioning and incubation chamber
Keyence BZ-X800
Zeiss AxioImager with Apotome optical sectioning
Zeiss SteREO Discovery.V12 stereomicroscope with fluorescence capability

Fabrication/Engineering capability:

Harrick Plasma cleaner
FormLabs Form2 SLA 3D printer
Custom part design and prototyping upon request

Image Visualization:

Arivis Vision4D
Arivis InViewR VR visualization
Paraview
Blender

Selected Publications

Oxygen tension and the VHL-Hif1α pathway determine onset of neuronal polarization and cerebellar germinal zone exit

Kullmann et al. Neuron, 2020

Correlative three-dimensional super-resolution and block-face electron microscopy of whole vitreously frozen cells

Hoffman et al. Science, 2020

Drebrin-mediated microtubule-actomyosin coupling steers cerebellar granule neuron nucleokinesis and migration pathway selection

Trivedi et al. Nat Commun, 2017

About the Director

Dr. Daniel Stabley grew up in the Metro Detroit area and attended Wayne State University where he obtained an honors college BS in Chemistry with an emphasis in Biochemistry. He then attended Emory University, where he obtained his PhD under the mentorship of Dr. Khalid Salaita while working on novel biosensor development and microscopy methods. Daniel then completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the lab of Dr. David Solecki at St. Jude where he studied neuronal cytoskeletal dynamics and force exertion during cerebellar development. In 2016 Daniel started the Neuroimaging Laboratory, where he continues to pursue his passion for advanced microscopy and mentors users to equip the next generation of biologists at St. Jude and beyond with a firm foundation in advanced microscopy methods.

The team

Sharon King, PhD
Senior Scientist

Becky Petersen, PhD
Lead Researcher