Optical Coherence Tomography Laboratory

This laboratory is dedicated to the development of novel OCT technology and applications, consisting of state-of-the-art OCT systems that are used for a wide variety of experiments. This laboratory also serves as a breeding ground for evaluating new sources, experimental set-ups, new needle, catheter, and probe beam-delivery systems, and novel imaging modalities and algorithms used in conjunction with OCT. This laboratory features the following custom-built OCT systems:

• OCT system utilizing a broadband titanium : sapphire laser source, operating at 800 nm wavelength. This system is capable of time-domain OCT, spectral domain OCT, and magneto-motive OCT (MM-OCT) imaging.
• Polarization-sensitive OCT system (PS-OCT) operating at 1300 nm wavelength.

Nonlinear Microscopy Laboratory

This laboratory facility exploits the advantages of nonlinear optical techniques for imaging cells and tissue. Various lasers are used to generate ultrashort optical pulses, which are shaped to enhance imaging of specific molecular features. Located in this laboratory are the following custom-built systems:

• Nonlinear Interferometric Vibrational Imaging (NIVI) system.
• Integrated Microscope, providing structural and functional imaging using Optical Coherence Microscopy (OCM) and Multi-Photon Microscopy (MPM) techniques.

Biological Sample Preparation Laboratory

This Biosafety Level 2 (BL2) laboratory facility allows us to conduct studies on human and model specimens from our approved protocols as well as conduct collaborative work with institutions such as Carle Foundation Hospital, Provena Medical Center, the NIH Tissue Banks, and the UIUC School of Veterinary Medicine. This wet-chemical laboratory is also used for fabricating novel targeted contrast and therapeutic agents for imaging. Attached to this laboratory space is a separate, isolated BL2 room used exclusively for cell culture work. This laboratory space is managed by a full-time Biological Research Manager that oversees all biological aspects of the group research and space utilization. This laboratory features the following equipment:

• Isolated cell culture room, biosafety cabinet, 2 incubators, water bath, centrifuge.
• Zeiss inverted, fluorescent microscope.
• Cryo micro-centrifuge.
• One balance and one ultra-balance.
• Complete microsphere fabrication setup.
• Micro-spectrometer.
• Manual and electronic pipettes.

Histology Facility

No OCT imaging would be complete without comparing the imaging results to the "gold standard", which is histology. This laboratory facility is equipped with state of the art equipment for fixing and preparing our own tissue samples for histology, thus allowing us to perform direct comparison studies using histology as the gold standard of diagnostic medicine to confirm the features observed through our imaging modalities. This BL2 laboratory features the following equipment:

• Cryostat.
• Microtome.
• Tissue processor.
• Paraffin embedder.
• Chemical fume hood.
• Biosafety cabinet.
• Light microscopes.
• Automatic microscope slide stainer.

Optical Properties Laboratory

In addition to the development of optical imaging technologies, our group is actively investigating the spectroscopic, absorption, and scattering properties of various agents, cells, and tissues. This laboratory facility contains double integrating spheres, a goniometer, a Maestro in vivo whole-animal fluorescence imaging system darkbox. It also serves as a space where undergraduates can work on research projects.

Optical Development Laboratory

Our group is investigating cutting edge optical techniques, with a view toward integration into existing biophotonics imaging methods. This laboratory facility is used to construct and test these new ideas. It also serves as a space where undergraduates can work on research projects.

Clinical Research Laboratory

This laboratory facility is located on the 3rd floor of the Mills Breast Cancer Research Center on the campus of Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, Illinois, approximately a half mile from the Beckman Institute. This dedicated research space serves as a staging and development laboratory for ongoing clinical optical imaging studies. This laboratory features the following OCT systems:

• Custom-built OCT imaging system operating at 1300 nm wavelength.
• Bioptigen OCT imaging system operating at 1300 nm wavelength.

Machine Shop

No engineering laboratory would be complete without its own machine shop. Within our facilities, we also have our own small location allowing us to custom make several of our parts for instrumentation purposes.

Beckman Institute Biological Resource Facility

One of six facilities located on the UIUC campus is housed inside the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology. This facility is able to accommodate a wide variety of species allowing researchers in this highly interdisciplinary institute to carry out more clinically relevant studies.

Beckman Institute Visualization Laboratory

The Visualization Laboratory resources support a wide variety of projects for research, including: 2D/3D/4D image analysis and quantification, scientific visualization, ultra-high speed video, macro-photograpy, macro-video, video production, 3D animation, high-resolution 2D scanning, 3D object scanning, full-color 3D printing, research presentation methods, publication graphics, and additional capabilities in support of imaging.

Microscopy Suite

The Microscopy Suite (MS) is one of the two primary service facilities supported by the Imaging Technology Group at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology.  A wide range of imaging modalities and supporting equipment is available for the preparation, imaging and analysis of microscopic specimens. Instruments in the facility include dissecting, stereology, fluorescence, confocal, transmission electron, environmental scanning electron, atomic force and near field scanning optical microscopes.

Illinois Simulator Laboratory

The primary mission of the Illinois Simulator Laboratory (ISL) is to support the integration of advanced technologies so that Institute researchers can conduct experiments in human multi-modal perception and cognition. To facilitate this mission, the ISL maintains discrete laboratories allowing the incorporation of individualized multimodal control and monitoring technologies into advanced visualization environments, both immersive and ultra-high resolution.

Biomedical Imaging Center

The BIC provides the facilities, equipment, and training for research in NMR imaging and spectroscopy spanning across the fields of engineering, neuroscience, speech and hearing science, psychology, biology, medicine, and other fields.

Biotechnology Center

The UIUC Biotechnology Center houses many facilities critical to the biosciences including the W.M. Keck Center for Comparative and Functional Genomics, Proteins Sciences Facility, Immunological Resource Center, and Flow Cytometry Facility.

Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology (CNST)

The Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology is an interdisciplinary center combining faculty from across many departments in the spirit of the development of nanoscale materials, devices, systems, and applications.

Institute for Genomic Biology

The Institute for Genomic Biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was established in 2003 to advance life science research and stimulate bio-economic development in the state of Illinois.

Construction of the $75 million, 186,000 square foot state-of-the-art IGB facility began in April 2004. Completed in mid-2006, the facility now houses up to 400 researchers in three broad Program Areas:

• Systems Biology
• Cellular and Metabolic Engineering
• Genome Technology

Materials Research Laboratory (MRL)

The Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory is one of the many interdisciplinary research laboratories on campus. It houses the DOE's National Electron Beam User's Center (the Center for Microanalysis of Materials), Center for Computation, Molecular Beam Epitaxy Facility, Laser and Spectroscopy Facility, Microfabrication and Crystal Growth Facility, and the Magnetic Characterization and Low-Temperature Facility (SQUID).