Research Excellence
The National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research (NCMIR) at the University of California San Diego develops state-of-the-art 3D imaging and analysis technologies to help biomedical researchers understand biological structure and function relationships in cells and tissues in the dimensional range between 5 nm3 and 50 µm3. more
 March 2008 — NCMIR's improved cryofixation protocols for electron tomography are helping to visualize the 3D proteomics of brain tissue. Read article |
 NCMIR collaborators reveal how new neurons, born in the hippocampus, wire into the brain's circuitry. Read article |
NCMIR In The News
NCMIR Research on Display at the San Diego International Airport
June 2, 2008 — Beginning June 10th 2008, tens of thousands of visitors to the San Diego Airport will be able to see an eye-catching exhibition of scientific images generated by local life science companies and research institutions, including UCSD's National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research. The exhibit, titled "Cell Culture," features microscopic scientific visualizations that blur the line between art and science. Sponsored by BIOCOM, the world's largest regional life science association whose focus is to promote initiatives that positively influence the local research community, the exhibit features approximately twenty works ranging from computer simulations of cell microenvironments to images produced using sophisticated laser and electron microscopes. The images will be on display through the end of December 2008 and will be located behind security in the upper level of Terminal 2 between gates 21 and 33.
Former NCMIR Project Scientist Awarded Society for Histochemistry's Feulgen Prize
June 2, 2008 — Dr. Ben Giepmans, former NCMIR project scientist, was awarded the Society for Histochemistry's Feulgen Prize for his outstanding contributions to the development and application of new advanced fluorescent proteins and biarsenical-tetracysteine probes for light and electron microscropy. Read article.
Ellisman Gives Featured Lecture on Emerging Technologies at Society for Neuroscience 2007
November 5, 2007 -- Innovative efforts underway at UCSD's School of Medicine to leverage telecommunications and information technologies for accelerating biomedical research were featured during a special lecture during the 2007 annual Society for Neuroscience conference. UCSD's track record of driving the development of digital age technologies for acquiring, visualizing, and communicating research information was highlighted in a special lecture delivered by Dr. Mark Ellisman, of the University of California, San Diego. being conducted all this week at San Diego's Convention Center. Read article
NCMIR Researcher is Helping to Bridge Art and Science Through the Use of Dynamic Media
August 3 , 2007 -- Ruth West, director of visual analytics and interactive technologies at NCMIR and a team of engineers, computer scientists, biologists, and artists have created interactive artwork for exploring new ways of representing nature in the era of metagenomics. Viewers can interact real-time with genetic sequences of marine microorganism on CalIT2's 100-million-pixel autosterographic display. The immersive visualization display is titled ATLAS in silico and is on display August 4-6 at UCSD's CalIT2 as part of the annual SIGGRAPH conference. Read article
UCSD to Acquire Cutting-Edge Electron Microscope for Biomedical Research
June 12, 2007 -- UCSD's National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research (NCMIR) has been awarded a large grant to assist in the purchase of a new high energy electron microscope. Today's announcement by the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), will afford NCMIR scientists an opportunity to explore new microscope technologies for advancing research benefiting biomedical research. UCSD's award is the only grant this year for an advanced electron microscope from NIH's High-End Instrumentation (HEI) program. Read article
