Site Layout

Presented in this site are links to the various structures present within cells, the microscopy utilized to obtain the micrographs, as well as the protocols that were followed for each of the stainings.

Structures (http://www.itg.uiuc.edu/technology/atlas/structures/)

Under the structures page, you will find images of cells stained for the following: nucleus and microtubules, actin and microtubules, nucleus and actin, endoplasmic reticulum, golgi apparatus, and the stages of mitosis (Refer to Figure 1). Once each image is opened, you will find a description of the structure and the type of staining utilized to obtain the image, followed by sample images (Refer to Figure 2). In some structures, these sample images can be opened further to identify the fluorescent image, the corresponding bright-field image obtaining using differential-interference contrast, and the original black and white fluorescent images combined to obtain the colorful fluorescent images (Refer to Figure 3). All images on this page can be opened as high-resolution, 24-bit TIFF images.

Figures 1, 2, & 3. Click on the image to visit the corresponding Web Atlas page online.

Figure 1: Layout of structures page showing the types of structures present in the atlas.	Figure 2: Layout once the original image on the structure page is selected. The structure description along with with sample images are presented.	Figure 3: Sample layout depicting the fluorescent image, the brightfield image, and the corresponding black and white images combined to obtain the color fluorescent image for the nucleus and microtubule structures.

Also under the structures page, the staining of traditional intracellular structures (actin, microtubules, and DNA) were utilized to illustrate the process of mitosis. Images of cells undergoing prophase, metaphase, and anaphase are depicted and described fully.

Microscopy (http://www.itg.uiuc.edu/technology/atlas/microscopy/)

Three different types of microscopy were used to generate the images in this atlas, and in certain cases differing methods of obtaining the images were performed on the same type of microscope. The microscopes used include a laser scanning confocal, a fluorescence, and a standard light. The light microscope used conventional brightfield microscopy as well as phase-contrast and differential interference contrast (DIC or Nomarski) microscopy.

Each type of microscope and the procedures for obtaining images from them are described in greater detail on the individual links for each microscope. The advantages of confocal microscopy over wide-field fluorescence microscopy under some settings, models of the microscopes used, phenomenon of fluorescence, and different types of light microscopy are presented.

All microscopes used to obtain images for this atlas may be found in the Beckman Institute's Imaging Technology Group Microscopy Suite.

Protocols (http://www.itg.uiuc.edu/technology/atlas/protocols/)

The protocols followed for staining cells are presented. The nuclei, microtubules and actin were stained using a gluteraldehyde fixation protocol. The Golgi apparatus was stained using a pH-Shift/formaldehyde fixation protocol. Stephen Rogers also presents the former two protocols in Cell Biological Applications of Fluorescence Microscopy (Technical Report 99-006 issued April 1999). A protocol is also presented explaining how to add color to images once black and white images are acquired via a microscope. This protocol is included in this technical report.

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