Core Functions

	James McCracken, Ph.D. Core Director

• Perform detection and analysis of antigen expression in fixed myocardial sections and cells, including cardiomyocytes.
• Acquire high-resolution images, render 3D reconstruction of serial images to specifically identify the subcellular location of antigens.
• Detect intracellular generation of radicals
• Examine mitochondrial membrane integrity and function; analyze expression of surface antigens in stem cells and the change in antigen expression during differentiation. 
• Isolate stem cells utilizing multiple surface markers; monitor antigenic shift during macrophage transformation
• Quantify cell cycle events as necessary

The Core Units provide the expertise and equipment needed for high resolution confocal microscopic image acquisition and analysis and flow cytometric analysis of antigen expression on cell surface and cell sorting support for cardiovascular research in diabetes and obesity at the University of Louisville.

The functions of these two Units will be inextricably intertwined, as the Microscopy Unit will guide the selection of antigens to be analyzed by the Flow Cytometry Unit, and the Flow Cytometry Unit will produce the cells to be imaged by the Confocal Microscopy Unit.

The Confocal Microscopy Unit is responsible for all confocal image acquisition, processing, and analysis; the Flow Cytometry Unit is responsible for analysis and sorting of fluorescent labeled cells.