Overview

Mission

The principal mission of the Light Imaging Section is to give NIAMS scientists access to state-of-the-art equipment and to offer training and assistance in the acquisition and analysis of high quality scientific images by light microscopy. Furthermore, we use light microscopy and other techniques to elucidate poorly understood aspects of skeletal muscle cell biology, i.e. the organization of muscle microtubules and their role in muscle diseases. We also strive to apply new modalities of light microscopy to the quantitative analysis of skeletal muscle pathologies.

Services

The Light Imaging Section is equipped for widefield and confocal microscopy, multi-photon microscopy, TIRF, high-throughput live cell imaging, and slide scanning. See full list of instruments available.

For access to instruments and more information, contact Dr. Randazzo (davide.randazzo@nih.gov) or Ms. Kenea (aster.kenea@nih.gov).

Core Research Facilities

Labs at the NIAMS are supported by the following state-of-the-art facilities and services:

Image & Media Gallery

Career Opportunities

Staff Scientist

Date Posted:

The Office of Science and Technology (OST) within the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) is recruiting for a Staff Scientist position to be assigned to the Light Imaging Section (LIS).

A successful candidate is expected to be highly skilled in imaging techniques ranging from widefield, confocal, and superresolution microscopy to total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, lattice lightsheet microscopy, high throughput live cell imaging, spatial transcriptomics, automated histology slide scanning, and advanced image quantification, including analysis. He/She will be required to establish the most appropriate protocol for multiplexed imaging of tissue sections as well as fixed and live cells. The candidate will be responsible for assisting in the development of research plans with the NIAMS investigators and offering advice on the best imaging design, the most appropriate imaging techniques, and the corresponding instrumentation. He/She will provide training for the independent use of state-of-the-art imaging instruments and extend the interaction with the core facility users after training to assist them in the post-acquisition analysis by suggesting the appropriate software tools and processing pipelines to ensure a conscious approach to data presentation. The candidate will also be required to assist core users with assembling micrographs for publications.

The candidate will have or will be able to establish a solid network with other microscopy core facilities and microscopy experts both inside and outside the NIH. The candidate will also need to be up-to-date with the latest technological advancements in the microscopy field and have a strategic vision for the future of the core as he/she will be expected to provide advice to institute leadership in proposing the acquisition of new instruments and techniques, when these may represent a significant step forward for the LIS.

Applicants should have a doctoral degree in cell biology or a related field and at least five years of postdoctoral experience. A record of peer-reviewed publications is required. The successful candidate should have strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively. Interested individuals should send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, summary of research experience, list of accomplishments, research interests and goals, three publications or reprints, and three letters of reference electronically to gadinama@mail.nih.gov.

Salary is commensurate with research experience and accomplishments.         

Dr. Massimo Gadina
Office of Science and Technology
Intramural Research Program, NIAMS           

DHHS and NIH are Equal Opportunity Employers. The NIH is dedicated to building a diverse community in its training and employment programs.

Scientific Publications

Selected Recent Publications

Fostamatinib Inhibits Neutrophils Extracellular Traps Induced by COVID-19 Patient Plasma: A Potential Therapeutic.

Strich JR, Ramos-Benitez MJ, Randazzo D, Stein SR, Babyak A, Davey RT, Suffredini AF, Childs RW, Chertow DS
J Infect Dis.
2021 Mar 29;
223(6).
doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa789
PMID: 33367731

Proteomic, biomechanical and functional analyses define neutrophil heterogeneity in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Bashant KR, Aponte AM, Randazzo D, Rezvan Sangsari P, Wood AJ, Bibby JA, West EE, Vassallo A, Manna ZG, Playford MP, Jordan N, Hasni S, Gucek M, Kemper C, Conway Morris A, Morgan NY, Toepfner N, Guck J, Mehta NN, Chilvers ER, Summers C, Kaplan MJ
Ann Rheum Dis.
2021 Feb;
80(2).
doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-218338
PMID: 32988843

A High-Throughput Real-Time Imaging Technique To Quantify NETosis and Distinguish Mechanisms of Cell Death in Human Neutrophils.

Gupta S, Chan DW, Zaal KJ, Kaplan MJ
J Immunol.
2018 Jan 15;
200(2).
doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1700905
PMID: 29196457

Clearing skeletal muscle with CLARITY for light microscopy imaging.

Milgroom A, Ralston E
Cell Biol Int.
2016 Apr;
40(4).
doi: 10.1002/cbin.10578
PMID: 26732743

A new directionality tool for assessing microtubule pattern alterations.

Liu W, Ralston E
Cytoskeleton (Hoboken).
2014 Apr;
71(4).
doi: 10.1002/cm.21166
PMID: 24497496

Molecular editing of cellular responses by the high-affinity receptor for IgE.

Suzuki R, Leach S, Liu W, Ralston E, Scheffel J, Zhang W, Lowell CA, Rivera J
Science.
2014 Feb 28;
343(6174).
doi: 10.1126/science.1246976
PMID: 24505132

Microtubules that form the stationary lattice of muscle fibers are dynamic and nucleated at Golgi elements.

Oddoux S, Zaal KJ, Tate V, Kenea A, Nandkeolyar SA, Reid E, Liu W, Ralston E
J Cell Biol.
2013 Oct 28;
203(2).
doi: 10.1083/jcb.201304063
PMID: 24145165

Quantitative evaluation of skeletal muscle defects in second harmonic generation images.

Liu W, Raben N, Ralston E
J Biomed Opt.
2013 Feb;
18(2).
doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.18.2.026005
PMID: 23377006

News & Highlights

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