High-Throughput Imaging Facility (HiTIF)
The NCI High-Throughput Imaging Facility (HiTIF) provides infrastructure and expertise to NCI intramural scientists for automated microscopy assay development, the discovery of small molecule compounds, and characterization of cellular pathways using RNAi-based screens. In addition to screening capabilities, the facility develops high-throughput microscopy analytical methods that provide unique insights into the mechanisms underlying rare cellular events within adherent monolayer cell populations. The facility may also collaborate with end-users to develop and execute smaller-scale projects that utilize automated fluorescence microscopy technologies.
Potential projects from NCI/CCR investigators are approved by the HiTIF Oversight Committee, which is chaired by Dr. Carole Parent, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology. To initiate a project with the HiTIF, the investigator first submits a short proposal to the facility head. This document should explain the goals of the project, potential scientific significance, and preliminary data as a proof-of-concept.
Established Technologies:
- Fully automated, high-throughput fluorescence and bright-field microscopy (Yokogawa CV7000)
- High-Content Analysis (HCA) to measure up to hundreds of cellular features from microscopy images
- Assistance with miniaturization of cell-based assays in 96-well and 384-well microplates
- Robotic sample preparation, reagent addition, and plate washing
- Characterization of cellular mechanistic pathways using RNAi-based screens
- High-throughput live-cell fluorescence microscopy
- Automated tracking and image processing of subcellular objects in live cells
Developing Technologies:
- Third-generation automated microscopy instrument optimization/development
- Automated RNA in situ hybridization methods for single molecule detection of endogenous genomic DNA loci, or mRNA transcripts
- 3D HTI assays
- Deep Learning methods for cellular segmentation and classification of cellular objects
Contact Information:
Gianluca Pegoraro, Ph.D.
Facility Head, High-Throughput Imaging Facility
41 Library Drive, Building 41, Room B622
Bethesda, MD 20892
301-451-2876
gianluca.pegoraro
CCR Investigators can request a STARS subsidy to partially defray costs associated with the development and execution of HTI projects at HiTIF. OSTR provides 50% subsidy towards smaller, pilot projects through the HiTIF. Subsidies can be requested through the OSTR Subsidy website. Subsidies for larger projects will be considered through the RRS (Resource Request System). When logged into the RRS select “OSTR Technology Supplement.”