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Analytical Microscopy Core Laboratory

 

Research

Stephen B. Doty, PhD, Director of Laboratory

Support Staff:
Orla O'Shea, MA
Tony Labassiere, BA
Janane Diouri, DDS

The Analytical Microscopy Laboratory is located on the Ground Floor of the Caspary Research Building. The services offered are:

  • Transmission and scanning electron microscopy.
  • X-ray microanalysis (EDAX).
  • Methacrylate embedding and sectioning of calcified tissues.
  • Paraffin embedding and sectioning of soft tissues or decalcified tissues.
  • Immunocytochemistry for localization of specific proteins in cells and extracellular matrix.
  • Frozen sections of calcified and decalcified tissues.
  • Morphometric measurements of histologic structures and cellular content in order to provide quantitative analysis of tissue activities.

These services are utilized by the research and clinical staff of Hospital for Special Surgery on a "fee-for service" basis. The laboratory does provide services to users outside of HSS. Please see the fee schedule.

The laboratory has resources which have made it unique among core facilities in the New York area.

  1. Scanning electron microscopy has been utilized by basic scientists for many years but the clinical and corporate research interests can now appreciate the advantages of using this particular technique. This instrument is an FEI environmental scanning electron microscope which means that samples do not have to be dehydrated or coated with conductive material, thus the images are more representational of their real structure. In addition, samples can be viewed while quite fresh which considerably reduces the waiting time for analysis.
  2. X-ray microanalysis of elements can be analyzed by EDAX techniques. We have thin window x-ray detectors on both the transmission and scanning electron microscopes.
  3. Immunocytochemistry is in great demand now that so many primary antibodies are available. We routinely apply immunostaining to rat, mouse, rabbit and human samples. In addition, if immunostaining is coupled with morphometry, we can begin to quantitate tissue and cellular activities.
  4. We are unique in that we can provide total histological service for most calcified tissues, especially bone and cartilage. For example, sections of calcified bone embedded in methacrylate can be sectioned down to 3-5 microns thickness which can be used for morphometry or other analytical techniques. There are few laboratories in the US which can offer similar services.

Representative Publications

  1. Doty, S. Space Flight and Bone Formation.  Materials Science and Engineering Technology.(Mat.-wiss.u.Werkstofftech) 35:951-961, 2004.  Wiley-VCH Weinheim, Germany.

  2. Kloen, P., Doty, S.B., Gordon, E., Rubel, I.F., Goumans, M-J, and Helfet, D.L.: Expression and Activation of the BMP-Signaling Components in Human Fracture Nonunions.  J. Bone Jt.  Surg. 84A:1909-1918, 2002.

  3. Wang H, Li X, Tomin E, Doty SB, Lane JM, Carney DH, Ryaby JT.  Thrombin peptide (TP508) promotes fracture repair by up-regulating inflammatory mediators, early growth factors, and increasing angiogenesis. J Orthop Res. 23:671-9, 2005

  4. Zhu W, Rawlins BA, Boachie-Adjei O, Myers ER, Arimizu J, Choi E, Lieberman JR, Crystal RG, Hidaka C.  Combined bone morphogenetic protein-2 and -7 gene transfer enhances osteoblastic differentiation and spine fusion in a rodent model. J Bone Miner Res. 19:2021-32, 2004.

  5. Bi X, Li G, Doty SB, Camacho NP.  A novel method for determination of collagen orientation in cartilage by Fourier transform infrared imaging spectroscopy (FT-IRIS). Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2005 Dec;13(12):1050-8.

  6. Doty SB, Vico L, Wronski T, Morey-Holton E.   Use of animal models to study skeletal effects of space flight. Adv Space Biol Med. 2005;10:209-24.

  7. Wang H, Li X, Tomin E, Doty SB, Lane JM, Carney DH, Ryaby JT.  Thrombin peptide (TP508) promotes fracture repair by up-regulating inflammatory mediators, early growth factors, and increasing angiogenesis. J Orthop Res. 2005 May;23(3):671-9.