In the lab of Dr. Chris Yip: SPIM auto focus setup

In the lab of Dr. Chris Yip: SPIM auto focus setup

The single molecule biophysics platforms were developed by the Yip Lab as a new set of tools for the characterization of molecular and cellular structures and dynamics.

Dedicated Tools

  • Confocal microscopy
  • Scanning probe microscopy
  • Total internal reflectance microscopy
  • Super-resolution microscopy
  • FT-IR spectroscopy and microscopy
  • Light sheet / selective plane illumination microscopy

By integrating many of these platforms together, the facility provides a constantly evolving suite of unique platforms that allow to investigate protein-protein interactions and molecular dynamics, both in vitro and in vivo, with exceptionally high spatial and temporal resolution.
The super-resolution optical microscopes beat the diffraction limit of light, enabling structures to be resolved with < 30 nm spatial resolution. The integrated scanning probe microscopes allow to directly map three-dimensional molecular structures and follow molecular dynamics with < 1 nm spatial resolution.

The light sheet microscope allows to track developmental processes in real-time over days with sub-cellular resolution in living organisms. A real strength to these platforms is that they are completely open in their design, both in terms of hardware and software.

Extensive use of open-source software and flexible designs allow for rapid integration of new technologies and implementation of new ideas to the systems. In-house 3-D printing capabilities enable trainees to rapidly build prototypes for systems.

The Yip Lab works closely with many labs in Biochemistry on the design and construction of prototype characterization tools, such as DNA combing instruments. These infrastructure are supported with comprehensive in-house computational tools for data storage, image analysis, processing, and rendering.

Instruments

  • point scanning confocal (x 2)
  • research inverted and upright microscopes w/ fluorescence / stereo microscopy
  • TIRF microscopy (4-line) with dSTORM and PALM capabilities (super-resolution) with polarization imaging capabilities (fluorescence anisotropy imaging / absorption anisotropy imaging) – dual camera configuration
  • atomic force / scanning probe microscopy – including coupled confocal / TIRF / super-resolution / AFM
  • FT-IR spectroscopy and microscopy (including coupled fluorescence) including ATR-IR microscopy as well as fluid transmission / ATR / diffuse reflectance /
  • 3-D printer
  • prototype light sheet / selective plane illumination microscopy
  • multiple camera systems (EMCCD / sCMOS / CCD / colour video)

Location

Donnelly Centre, Room 404

Contact

We use a web-based scheduling system for booking our instruments. This link will show you what is booked and who is booking them. We welcome external users and collaborations.

Christopher M. Yip

Christopher M. Yip

404 - 160 College St
416-978-7853
christopher.yip@utoronto.ca