bioimaging and optics platform ptbiop

THE FACILITY IN GENERAL

The Bioimaging and Optics platform (PT-BIOp) is located in the faculty of Life Science (SV) at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and part of a network of core facilities at the faculty. The general idea of the platform is to provide instruments and even more important expertise to solve challenging (biological) questions with modern light-microscopy. Therefore the PT-BIOp seeks to create a link between life sciences and engineering to investigate jointly these fundamental fields. Teaching and education as well as research projects are organized for promoting a mutual understanding.

Currently a broad range of light microscopic techniques ranging from simple wide-field imaging systems over standard point-scanning confocal microscopes up to a high-end 2-Photon-excitation microscope are available at the facility. The main idea is to teach users so that they can use the instruments independently.
Additionally there is a strong competence and necessary computer power to perform image processing. The idea is to link the image analysis with the image acquisition as early as possible as this is required to answer ambitious biological questions.
The microscopes and the image analysis capabilities can be used from scientists inside the EPFL as well as from visitors.

The PT-BIOp is also involved in teaching activities on the master and PhD level. Additionally master projects are offered in conjunction with research groups from the faculty of Life Science (SV) and other faculties as well.


Major accomplishments:

• Currently the PT-BIOp manages 23 microscopes/imaging systems and 6 Image Processing workstations.
• Over 200 new users are trained per year
• The usage of the equipment exceeds 25.000 hours per year.
• Around 150 students on the master and PhD level are taught per year.

Service provided:

• Assistance in light microscopic projects for scientist from the faculty of life science and any other research group from EPFL. This comprises one, several or sometimes even all of the following topics: project planning, sample preparation, image acquisition, image processing, data handling, data storage.
• Evaluation, testing and promoting of new light microscopical methods in collaboration with research groups at the EPFL.
• Evaluation and testing of new equipment.
• Advice for the purchase of new equipment

The steering committee of the PT-BIOp consists of the following members:

Committee:

• A.Seitz (SV/SV-SG/SV-GE)
• P.Gönczy (SV/ISREC/UPGON)
• H.Hirling (SV/SV-DEC/SV-DO)
• A. Radenovic (SV/IBI/LBEN)
• K.Johnsson (SB/ISIC/LIP)
• T.Lasser (STI/IOA/LOB)
• C.Petersen (SV/BMI/LSENS)
• M.Unser (STI/IOA/LIB)
• H.Vogel (SB/ISIC/LCPPM)