Welcome to the Center for Computer Integrated Systems for Microscopy and Manipulation (CISMM) at UNC Chapel Hill, funded by the National Institutes of Health and National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering. CISMM develops force technologies applicable over a wide range of biological settings, from the single molecule to the tissue, with integrated systems that orchestrate facile instrument control, multimodal imaging, and analysis through visualization and modeling. Closing the loop of (a) experiment design, (b) experiment execution, (c) data analysis and interpretation, (d) model building with frequent comparison to experimental data, has been a driving challenge in CISMM, with projects designed to provide real-time data analysis, the simulation of experiments based on structural and physical models, and the ability to visualize their correlations. Looking in to the future, CISMM also applies cutting edge virtual environments to clinical challenges.
UPCOMING: 2009 Carolina Workshop on Force Measurement and Manipulation in Biological Microscopy
We will be holding our 5th year of this workshop September 22-25, 2009. Come use magnetic tweezers, laser tweezers and atomic force microscopy on live cells, DNA and blood clots. Registration is now open. Contact Cassandra Houston for more information or go here for a brief description.
Highlight: Fibrin fiber manipulation
CISMM manipulation technology is being used to measure the elasticity and strength of individual fibrin fibers that comprise blood clots. The quantum dot labeled fiber, about 300 nanometers in diameter, is imaged in solution with an inverted optical microscope simultaneous with quantitative atomic force microscopy manipulation. See the thrombosis page for more information.
Core Projects develop the technology of our resource
Core 1. Force Microscope Technologies
Core 2. Towards Ideal User Interfaces
Core 3. Advanced Visualization and Analysis
Core 4: Effective Virtual Environments
Collaborations form the heart of our resource
Their influence has grown to 18 collaboration projects involving over 28 senior investigator collaborators, with fully one half (9) of the projects being sited outside of UNC. Collaborators are organized as Collaboration Clusters:
Cell Mechanics Cluster
Lung Cluster
NIH Centers
Medical Cluster
Thrombosis Cluster
Service, Training, and Dissemination
This Resource prides itself on building computer-based tools for microscopy and force measurements to serve the needs of scientists working on the frontiers of knowledge. Our goals are to support visiting scientists, to support Resource-developed hardware/software systems delivered outside the Resource, to support and enhance the research of users who come to our laboratories at UNC.
Service: Come use our resources, either by visiting us at UNC, getting our hardware, or through our free software.
Dissemination: download our software, learn about our work through our publications.
Training: Come learn about forces in biology through our annual workshop hosted at UNC
Come Use Our Facilities
As an NIH National Research Resource we provide access to our unique facilities to researchers doing related work. Click here to learn more about using this facility.