# Live Cell Imaging Shared Resource

> **NIH NIH P30** · UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER · 2022 · $97,862

## Abstract

The Live Cell Imaging Shared Resource (LCISR) of Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center (SCCC) enables
SCCC members to leverage advanced light microscopy techniques in support of their cancer-focused research.
The LCISR’s capabilities include digital imaging of histologically stained samples, workhorse confocal
microscopes, sophisticated two-photon microscopes for imaging in live animals and thick tissues, total internal
reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopes, and multiple modes of super-resolution imaging, as well as two
image processing workstations with comprehensive image analysis software. Under the leadership of Kate
Luby-Phelps, PhD, LCISR staff members provide individualized training of users and consult on experimental
design and image analysis. The LCISR has been proactive in evaluating new instrumentation and in obtaining
funding for instrumentation purchase. Since 2015, the LCISR has replaced two aging laser scanning confocal
microscopes and has expanded its capacity by adding a third confocal with funding from the NIH S10 program.
This acquisition included a Zeiss Airyscan FAST attachment for “super resolution” imaging and a fluorescence
correlation spectroscopy module for examining molecular interactions in solution and in living cells that is unique
on the UT Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW) campus. The LCISR recently acquired an OMX SR multimode
super-resolution microscope with 3D structured illumination microscopy, localization microscopy
(PALM/STORM), and Ring TIRF capabilities. To keep up with ongoing rapid developments in light microscope
technology, the LCISR recently initiated a partnership with the UTSW Microscope Innovation Laboratory (MIL),
led by Kevin Dean, PhD. The MIL is a newly established, institutionally supported initiative intended to fast-track
the translation of cutting-edge light microscope imaging instrumentation to researchers at UTSW. Planned
instrumentation includes custom-built lightsheet microscopes for cleared tissue imaging and fast volumetric
imaging, and a three-photon microscope for deep tissue imaging. Instruments developed by the MIL will be made
available to SCCC members through the LCISR. Since 2014, the LCISR has been used by more than 140
principal investigators across all five SCCC research programs, resulting in more than 140 cancer-focused
publications, including publications in high-impact journals such as Cell, Nature, Science, Cancer Cell, Nature
Communications, Dev Cell, and Nature Microbiology. The annual number of SCCC member laboratories using
the LCISR has expanded from 54 in 2015 to 80 in 2019.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10478034
- **Project number:** 5P30CA142543-12
- **Recipient organization:** UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** KATHERINE J LUBY-PHELPS
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $97,862
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2010-09-01 → 2026-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10478034

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10478034, Live Cell Imaging Shared Resource (5P30CA142543-12). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10478034. Licensed CC0.

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