Research Facilities
The Hotamışlıgil Laboratory includes two state-of-the-art facilities, the Advanced Imaging and Physiology Facilities. These resources allow us to support cutting-edge research with high-end metabolic physiology equipment and imaging capabilities.
Advanced Imaging Lab
The Hotamışlıgil Lab Advanced Imaging Facility possesses instrumentation has enabled us to image live and fixed biological samples, such as cell lines and metabolic tissues, under different nutritional conditions – all in high resolution. We are able to capture information such as cell morphology, lipid content, organelle abundance, distribution, localization, motility and interaction. The Hotamışlıgil Lab Advanced Imaging Facility contains three systems that allow for the determination of organelle dynamics spatio-temporally by imaging organelles with targeted fluorescent molecules. With these tools we can investigate questions regarding the complex relationship between form and function. The following equipment comprises these three systems:
Yokogawa CSU-X1 with a Nikon Ti-E inverted microscope, with a 60x or 100x objective lens equipped with Zyla cMOS camera and iXon EMCCD camera. NIS elements software is available for acquisition parameters, shutters, filter positions and focus control. This system includes a chamber with temperature, humidity and gas controllers to allow live cell and tissue imaging.
Nikon C2 Laser Scan Confocal with a C2 scan head and controller upgraded high sensitivity, low noise PMT detectors (sensitivity up to 850nm) coupled to a Nikon Ti-E inverted microscope.
Coupled to a Ti-S/L100 Inverted Microscope L100 with fluorescent light source (X-Cite 120LED System) equipped with Lambda DG-4 Plus for UV ratiometric probes such as Fura-2 (for calcium measurement) and filters for FRET between ECFP/EYFP
Advanced Physiology Lab
The Hotamışlıgil Lab Physiology Facility has a full complement of instrumentation that Director Dr. Inouye uses to support the research of the members of the Hotamışlıgil lab, in addition to colleagues throughout the Longwood Medical area. These instruments include:
- High resolution CT scanner for mice and rats.
- Perkin Elmer IVIS Spectrum In Vivo Imaging System for in vivo imaging of bioluminescence and fluorescence signal in live mice to monitor conditions such as inflammation, atherosclerosis, vascular disease, arthritis, and cancer.
- SCIREQ Flexivent for measurement of respiratory mechanics in mice.
- EchoMRI and DEXA for measurement of lean and fat mass, and bone density in live mice.
- Blood pressure and heart rate monitor for awake mice or rats.
- Multi-lane treadmill with adjustable speed and incline, for performing exercise studies in mice and rats.
The Hotamışlıgil Lab Animal Physiology Facility provides access to the most advanced tools for analyzing animal metabolism and behavior, including a Sable Systems Promethion Core metabolic cage system. This system is comprised of 16 cages each with: independent mass flow controllers, pumps, onboard real-time acquisition and analysis modules, and local data storage. Cages are located in a temperature- and light-controlled cabinet that allows cold exposure or thermoneutral measurements with adjusted light cycles.
Metabolic cages are an essential tool for measuring oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production in mice, thus allowing monitoring of the effects of genetic alterations, diets, and treatments on energy expenditure and fuel utilization. Our new system has higher capacity and many upgrades. The system monitors their activity, measures food and water intake and body weight, and has running wheels for measuring oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production during exercise.
The Hotamışlıgil Lab provides users with support and instruction as needed.