SWAGÊÓƵ

The mission of the Histology and Imaging Core is to provide Center for Pain Research investigators and the greater SWAGÊÓƵ research community access to expertise, training, and specialized instrumentation related to tissue processing, sectioning, staining, immunohistochemistry, and microscopy.

Additionally the Core offers services and training related to image analysis and image analysis software to guide investigators in choosing the best methods for presenting their data. We also accommodate work for outside facilities on a fee-for-service basis.

These images represent work completed by Histology and Imaging Core professional staff. All samples were processed on core equipment, and images captured on core microscopes. The gallery contains a wide variety of tissue types, including nervous tissue, bone, kelp, and drosophila larvae.

The Histology and Imaging Core is fully equipped to perform a wide range of histological processing to suit investigators’ needs.

Sample Processing

The Histology and Imaging Core is fully integrated with the SWAGÊÓƵ's Behavior Core and can directly process samples collected by the Behavior Core.

Training

The Core also provides training to professional staff and students on equipment and techniques. 

The core has cryostats, microtomes, and microscopes available for reservation. To avoid scheduling conflicts and maintenance issues, all equipment must be reserved using Outlook calendars, and individual users must be trained by core staff.

The Leica confocal has a separate training procedure consisting of two 2-hour supervised sessions, several informational videos, and an online quiz. The first training session is an introduction to the microscope guided by core staff. The second session entails imaging of a user-generated sample with minimal intervention from Core staff. Upon completion of a proficiency quiz, users can reserve time as desired.

For any training inquiries, please email Peter Caradonna at pcaradonna@une.edu.

Badges

The SWAGÊÓƵ Badging program is a non-credit bearing vehicle that digitally validates and documents knowledge, skill sets, qualifications, and competencies. Open to all learners, any participant who completes the learning activities and demonstrates achievement of the learning outcomes/competencies for a badge would be able to claim it. Sharing badges with graduate schools, potential employers, etc., is a great way to demonstrate some of the skills and competencies you have acquired that are not captured in an academic transcript.

For interested students, the core is now part of the SWAGÊÓƵ Badging program. Students will gain a knowledge-base and skillsets relevant to the core specialty.