# Light Microscopy Facility Core

> **NIH NIH P30** · MOUNT DESERT ISLAND BIOLOGICAL LAB · 2024 · $161,000

## Abstract

LIGHT MICROSCOPY FACILITY (LMF) CORE PROJECT SUMMARY
Recent innovations in microscopy, including confocal and light-sheet microscopy, have extended microscopic
analysis to 3D imaging of whole model organisms and the generation of comprehensive data on tissue structure,
mRNA and protein expression, and fluorescent reporters of cell behavior in vivo. The MDIBL Light Microscopy
Facility (LMF) Core will support graduated COBRE Project Leaders and other Davis Center investigators as well
as the Maine INBRE and the greater IDeA network. This will be done through providing access to cutting edge
lightsheet microscopy as well as support, training, and education in microscopy and digital image analysis. The
LMF CORE, managed by Dr. Frederic Bonnet, will offer Core-assisted use of a newly constructed mesoSPIM for
selective plane illumination microscopy (SPIM) that generates high resolution, wide field of views and complete
3D images of fixed cleared biological tissue. The aim of this COBRE LMF CORE proposal is to offer MDIBL
and IDeA state investigators assisted use of the mesoSPIM in our Light Microscope Core facility that will
support innovation in imaging and provide education in image acquisition, tissue clearing, and image
processing and analysis. The LMF CORE will also hire a bio-imaging data scientist to design and establish
image analysis pipelines, keep up to date with the latest analysis tools, aid in data submission to national
repositories in keeping with current data management plan requirements, and support a growing base of users.
The MDIBL Light Microscopy Facility Core has taken a leadership role in a developing a statewide microscopy
network by establishing a microscopy course at MDIBL for graduate students, post-docs, research assistants,
and faculty from institutions across Maine. The COBRE LMF CORE will also organize and host two imaging
workshops highlighting 1) recent advances in biological imaging and innovations in light-sheet microscopy and
2) innovations in genetically encoded biosensors and digital image analysis. The COBRE LMF CORE will also
fund a visiting scientist program to enable investigators to use MesoSPIM imaging in their projects by providing
travel grants and user fee waivers. Enabling visiting investigators to acquire imaging data for publication and
grant applications will extend the impact of the COBRE Light Microscopy Facility Core to IDeA states nationally.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10933850
- **Project number:** 1P30GM154610-01
- **Recipient organization:** MOUNT DESERT ISLAND BIOLOGICAL LAB
- **Principal Investigator:** Frederic Xavier Bonnet
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $161,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-07-05 → 2029-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10933850

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10933850, Light Microscopy Facility Core (1P30GM154610-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10933850. Licensed CC0.

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