MDC_Juli_2017_4456.JPG
© David Ausserhofer / MDC

Systems Biology Imaging

Andrew Woehler

The Light Microscopy Platform, which is part of the Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology at the Max Delbrück Center, provides access to advanced microscopy methods as well as data processing and analysis tools for on-campus and visiting scientists. We also work to foster collaboration with industry partners to bring emerging imaging technology to the campus.

In addition to supporting the work of other researchers within the BIMSB and MDC, we also conduct research investigating the structure, function, and modulation of the neuronal synapse.

Research Interests

Total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy reveals the activity of primary hippocampal neurons. Data was acquired by Dr. Zohreh Farsi.

Total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy reveals the activity of primary hippocampal neurons. Data was acquired by Dr. Zohreh Farsi.

We are working to adapt existing or developing novel technology including:

  • Small molecule and genetically encoded biosensors
  • Experimental multiplexing techniques
  • Advanced image analysis tools

to quantitatively study intracellular signal transduction and synaptic transmission. We aim at contributing to a better understand how information is processed at subcellular, cellular, and networks scales and how this processing is altered in neurological disorders.

 

Events

Upcoming Events

Microscopy Club | monthly

11th Berlin Summer Meeting and BIMSB Opening Symposium | 25-27 October 2018

 

Previous Events

Leica workshop on Multiphoton Confocal and Advanced Live Cell Imaging | 19-22 September 2017

MDC Technology Training in Light Microscopy / Zeiss workshop | 11-13 July 2017

10th Berlin Summer Meeting "Imaging Gene Regulation from DNA to RNA to protein” | 8-10 June 2017

EU-Life Course Biological Image Reconstruction and Analysis | 14-18 November 2016

Team

Group Leader

Dr. Andrew Woehler

89: Max-Rubner-House Room: 1.08b

Andrew.Woehler@mdc-berlin.de

 

Scientists

Dr. Zohreh Farsi

89: Max-Rubner-House Room: 1.08

Zohreh.Farsi@mdc-berlin.de

 

Agnieszka Klementowicz

89: Max-Rubner-House Room: 1.08

Agnieszka.Klementowicz@mdc-berlin.de

 

Dr. Marie Walde

89: Max-Rubner-House Room: 1.08

Marie.Walde@mdc-berlin.de

Equipment

Leica SP8 SMD confocal

 

microscope equipped with 4 hybrid detectors, 1 PMT, 405 nm near-UV diode laser, 440 nm pulsed laser, white light laser, and environmental control chamber.

TIRF / Wide-field microscope

based on a Nikon TiE with an iLas 2 TIRF

360 degree spinning uniform field TIRF (with simultaneous FRAP, FLIP, photoactivation), and a Prime-95B back-illuminated sCMOS

STORM setup

built on a Zeiss Observer Z.1

equipped with custom flat-field illumination and 3D multicolor spectral emission optics, and an sCMOS camera

 

Wide-field FRET microscope

built on a Nikon TE2000

equipped with an OptoSplit III and an EMCCD

 

Manufacturing Lab

 

  • Ultimaker2 Extended 3D printer
  • Form2 3D printer
  • Various tools

 

Publications

in Elife

Clathrin coat controls synaptic vesicle acidification by blocking vacuolar ATPase activity

Z. Farsi et al.
in Nat Commun

RNA localization is a key determinant of neurite-enriched proteome

A. Zappulo et al.
in Bioessays

Proton electrochemical gradient: driving and regulating neurotransmitter uptake

Z. Farsi et al.
in Opt Commun

Engineering an achromatic Bessel beam using a phase-only spatial light modulator and an iterative Fourier transformation algorithm

M. Walde et al.
in Methods Mol Biol

Imaging activity-dependent signaling dynamics at the neuronal synapse using FRET-based biosensors

Z. Farsi et al.
in Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Superpriming of synaptic vesicles as a common basis for intersynapse variability and modulation of synaptic strength

H. Taschenberger et al.
in Science

Single-vesicle imaging reveals different transport mechanisms between glutamatergic and GABAergic vesicles.

Z. Farsi et al.
in J Chem Ecol

The Green Gut: chlorophyll degradation in the gut of Spodoptera littoralis

A. Badgaa et al.
in J Physiol

Calcium-buffering effects of gluconate and nucleotides, as determined by a novel fluorimetric titration method.

A. Woehler et al.
in PLoS ONE

Vinculin binding angle in podosomes revealed by high resolution microscopy.

M. Walde et al.

Training & Resources

The platform offers collaboration opportunities, consultation and training in project planning, sample preparation, image acquisition, data management and analysis. Please contact us for more details.

Training

Theoretical and hands on training required for all systems (est. 2 hrs).

Booking

Go to https://mdc.science-it.ch/ to register for our booking system. After registering, go to the browse tab, then resources, search for the instrument you are interested in using (i.e. SP8 SMD), click on the blue arrow under the device picture to request access. The platform will get an email and contact you to schedule a training session. Afterwards which we will grant you access and you can book the system anytime you like.

Resources

Refractive Index Matching

It is important to choose your imaging objective such that its refractive index matches as closely as possible that of your imaging mounting media

Refractive indices of objective immersion media
Water 1.33
Silicone 1.406
Glycerol 1.47
Oil 1.518

 

Refractive indices of standard mounting media
75% Glycerol   1.44
Vectashield   1.457
Mowiol   1.49
ProLong Gold

Fresh mounting

Cured for 1 day

Cured for 4 days

1.39

1.40

1.44

 

Useful Links

 

Dr. Andrew Woehler
Dr. Andrew Woehler
Contact
Phone: 1786
Max-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin (MDC)
Robert-Rössle-Str. 10
13092 Berlin, Deutschland
Building 89, Room 1.08b