Imaging and Microscopy Methods in Biology and Medicine

HBTM 302QC Subject & Catalog Number

Description

This quarter course will introduce students to modern imaging modalities used in biology and medicine, with emphasis on modalities most frequently employed in cellular and molecular biology. The course will offer an overview of the basic principles of light and electron microscopy and explain their resolution limits and sources of contrast. We will discuss modality-specific functionally relevant fluorescence molecular probes which can be used for live cell imaging. The course will provide a detailed review and theory of operation of modern advanced light microscopy techniques such as confocal, line-scanning, light sheet, STED, light scattering, multi-photon and superresolution microscopy. We will then discuss Raman and light scattering spectroscopy methods for monitoring induced pluripotent stem cell differentiation, genetic targeting in microscopy and CRISPR-based photoactivatable transcription systems and basic concepts of optogenetics. We will review specific optogenetic actuators and sensors, modern light delivery techniques and various applications from investigating brain functions to cardiac optogenetics. We will also offer an overview of medical imaging techniques, such as ultrasound, X-ray CT, MRI, PET/SPECT, and ultrasound imaging, along with emerging optical imaging and spectroscopy methods. Lectures will be supplemented by visual demonstrations of the microscopy systems and hands-on laboratory work and discussions of the operation principles of those systems.