The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has opened a new facility designed to be one of the world’s most sophisticated research centers devoted to life science imaging. The UNC-Olympus Research Imaging Center provides researchers with advanced equipment, software, consultation and expertise and is designed to stimulate collaboration among top life science research faculty members. It will be available to guest researchers as well.

The new imaging center has been endowed by Olympus America, which is providing comprehensive imaging systems featuring state-of-the-art research microscopes, confocal instruments, digital imaging equipment, intravital imaging tools, incubation microscopes, software and substantial ongoing staffing and technical support. 

The center is operating under co-directors Ken Jacobson, Ph.D., Kenan Distinguished Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology, and James E. Bear, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Early Career Scientist of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Both are affiliated with the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the UNC School of Medicine and the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. Researchers using the center specialize in cell biology, neuroscience, pharmacology and other specialties that contribute to the study of cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease and other conditions.

“The UNC-Olympus Research Imaging Center offers researchers much more than equipment, support and space. It is a place where principal investigators are actively interacting through structured consultation and collaboration, using the highest level of imaging technology available today,” stated Bear.

“We are pleased to be deeply involved with UNC’s new imaging center because it allows us to support advanced microscopy imaging in the heart of one of the most prestigious and creative bioscience institutions in the world,” said Osamu Joji, group vice president and general manager, Scientific Equipment Group, Olympus America .