Research enabled by the Zuckerman Institute’s Cellular Imaging Platform

Tools for efficient analysis of neurons in a 3D reference atlas of whole mouse spinal cord
Collaboration, Slide Scanner, SpinalJ, BrainJ Cellular Imaging ZI Collaboration, Slide Scanner, SpinalJ, BrainJ Cellular Imaging ZI

Tools for efficient analysis of neurons in a 3D reference atlas of whole mouse spinal cord

Felix Fiederling, Luke A. Hammond, David Ng, Carol Mason & Jane Dodd (2021) Cell Reports Methods

To fill the prevailing gap in methodology for whole spinal cord analysis, we have developed a new histological and image analysis pipeline that includes:

  1. SpineRacks - scaffolds that facilitate efficient and ordered cryo-sectioning of the entire SC in a single block

  2. A 3D reference atlas of adult mouse SC

  3. SpinalJ - a freely available software tool based in Fiji to register images of sections and for standardized analysis of cells and projections in atlas space

We have verified mapping accuracies for known neurons and demonstrated the usefulness of this platform to reveal unknown neuronal distributions. Together, these tools provide high-throughput analyses of whole mouse SC and enable direct comparison of 3D spatial information between animals and studies.

This is a collaboration between Cellular Imaging and the labs of Jane Dodd and Carol Mason.

This project used the AZ100 slide scanner for imaging, with automation provided by NIS-Elements JOBS and General Analysis. It builds upon Cellular Imaging’s BrainJ project.

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Integrins protect sensory neurons in models of paclitaxel-induced peripheral sensory neuropathy
Collaboration, W1 Spinning Disk Confocal, W1-SoRa Spinning Disk Confocal Cellular Imaging ZI Collaboration, W1 Spinning Disk Confocal, W1-SoRa Spinning Disk Confocal Cellular Imaging ZI

Integrins protect sensory neurons in models of paclitaxel-induced peripheral sensory neuropathy

Grace Ji-eun Shin, Maria Elena Pero, Luke A. Hammond, Anita Burgos, Atul Kumar, Samantha E. Galindo, Tanguy Lucas, Francesca Bartolini, and Wesley B. Grueber (2021) PNAS

In this study, live imaging and superresolution approaches provide evidence that paclitaxel treatment causes cellular changes that are consistent with alterations in endosome-mediated trafficking of integrins. Furthermore, paclitaxel-induced changes in recycling endosomes precede morphological degeneration of nociceptive neuron arbors and could be prevented by integrin overexpression

This was a collaboration between Cellular Imaging and the labs of Wesley Grueber and Francesca Bartolini.

This project used the W1 Spinning Disk Confocal for imaging sensory neuron morphology and the W1-SoRa Spinning Disk Confocal for superresolution imaging of intracellular organelles. Custom image analysis was developed in Cellular Imaging using Fiji and Python.

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