Lab Resources, Forms and Other Information

GitHub Lab Forms FAQ / Training

Lab Facilities

  • Two-Photon Microscopy (MIRM 150)

    We have a Bruker Nano Ultima IV microscope for high-resolution two-photon imaging experiments. Our system is coupled to a Spectra-Physics Insight X3 laser. We have adapted our system for intrinsic/fluorescence camera-based imaging experiments. The main objective lenses we use are 4x (air), 10x LWD, 16x LWD, 20x and 40x.

    Bruker Ultima

  • Fluorescence Macroscopy (MIRM 150)

    We use our Olympus MVX-10 to conduct a broad range of experiments. The 1x lens provides a wide field of view (> 1 cm) with reasonable NA. We have incorporated intrinsic imaging to complement fluorescence imaging and laser speckle imaging. The large working distance of this system (8 cm) facilitates simultaneous recording of probe based systems like electrophysiology. We have several different cameras we use with this system, a cooled CCD camera (Cool Snap HQ2) is most used.

    Olympus MVX

  • Electrophysiology (MIRM 150)

    Electrophysiological recordings in our lab are routinely done using a MAP Plexon system. We have coupled this system with a customizable analog and digital boards and speakers to control and monitor the data stream. We also have a 16-channel TDT Razor 2 system.

    Plexon

Lab Data Repository and Analysis Resources

We use GitHub as the repository of lab published data and Maltab functions for analysis

NIL GitHub

Frequently Used Forms

  • Laser and Camera SOP

    Laser, microscope and camera standard operating procedures. This includes the Prairie/Bruker Ultima scope and the various cameras for imaging in the Bruker and Olympus systems.

    Laser SOP

  • Lab SOP

    General lab standard operating procedures and agreement for the various restricted/permitted tools available for use.

    Lab SOP

  • Surgery and Experiment Forms

    Commonly used forms for lab surgeries and experiments, all in one. These include injection locations, post-op care, experimental details and order.

    Experiment Form

  • Mouse Handling Guide

    This is an excellent paper and video guide on how to handle mice for experimentation and get awesome brain information. Courtesy of the Prevot group (Marcotte M, et al, Prevot TD. Handling Techniques to Reduce Stress in Mice. JOVE 175:e62593 (2021), doi:10.3791/62593 ).

    Mouse Handling

FAQs

  • Pitt BIOENG-2615 Introduction to Neural Engineering (Fall course)

    Pitt BIOENG-2505 Multi-modal Biomedical Imaging (Fall course)

    Pitt BIOENG-2585 Quantitative Cellular Neuroscience (Fall course)

    Pitt NEUROSCI-1046/2146 Intro to Computational Neuroscience (Fall course)

    CMU 42-437/737 Optics (Spring course)

    CMU 42-689 Introduction to Medical Imaging (Fall course)

    CMU 42-630 Introduction to Neural Engineering (Spring course)

    Any Signal Processing, Image Processing, Time-Frequency or Time Series Analysis Course

    Any Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, CNBC Course

  • Chemical Hygiene (link)

    Blood Borne Pathogens (link)

    General CITI training site (link)

    Small Animal Training OR Purpose Bred Mice and Rats (link) (now here)

    Use of Laboratory Animals in Research and Education (link) (now here)

    Working with Mice (Rats) in Research (link)

    Responsible Conduct of Research (via Pitt CITI Portal here)

    Conflict of Interest form (link) (or here)

    Controlled Substances (link) (now here and here)

    AESP form (link, need to deliver in person, by fax or email)

    Incident or Injury Forms (link)

    As of June 2021, all of the IACUC training modules are now accessed through CITI. Instructions on how to add/access these courses can be found through this link https://www.iacuc.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/citi_training_instructions_for_animal_researchers_0_1.pdf

  • Building access form (here, fill out and return to Lab Administrator)

    Laser Safety and Standard Operating Procedures form (here and here, fill out and return to Lab Admin)

    Camera Standard Operating Procedures form (here, fill out and return to Lab Admin)

    Lab Clean Up Practices and Procedures form (here, fill out and return to Lab Admin)

    Lab General Practices form (here, lab members only)

    Mouse acclimation guide (here)

  • Lab Google Calendar access (contact Alex, ajp94 at pitt dot edu)

    Lab Microsoft Teams access (contact Alberto, alv15 at pitt dot edu)

    Lab-related Slack workgroups (NVC, NVU, PopCoding, check with lab members or Alberto, alv15 at pitt dot edu)

    Pitt ARO Website for IACUC protocols herę

    Pitt CAMS Website for census management herę

    Pitt MyRA Website for Research agreements herę

    Pitt MyIBC Website for Biosafety protocols here

    Pitt Radiology website here and radiology conference room here

  • Two-photon Operating Procedures here

    MVX Operating Procedures here

    Clean-up Procedures here

  • Installing MATLAB (link)

    Read Lab Intro Papers

    Mouse handling

    Widefield whisker stimulation experiment (link)

    Mapping widefield imaging brain activity (link)

    Mapping two-photon imaging neuronal activity (link)

    Measuring vascular function (link)

  • For issues with the two-photon system contact Alberto (office MIRM 159.05)

    For issues with general lab equipment contact Alberto or Hiro (office MIRM 159.05, 159.02)

    For general lab issues contact Ping or any of lab faculty member

    MIRM guard number 412-383-7091, DLAR Vet 412-624-8387, Pitt Police 412-624-2121

 

Visit Us

3025 East Carson Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203

Bus
75 from and to Oakland
every 30-min on the hour
every 15-min during peak hours

Hours
Monday–Friday
9am–6pm

Phone
(412) 624-1210