Micro Analysis and Visualization Lab (MAVL)

Lab Description

The Micro Analysis & Visualization Lab (MAVL) is an Institute-wide facility for microscopic analysis and imaging services. The MAVL provides researchers with access to a range of microscopic platforms including low-magnification stereozoom reflected-light (dissecting) scopes, transmitted-light compound scopes in a variety of configurations (including petrographic and fluorescence capabilities), inverted scopes for live cell or tissue analysis, and a high-magnification tabletop scanning electron microscope equipped for elemental composition analysis. Microscope cameras and basic image analysis software are available for many of the platforms. The MAVL was created in 2015 as a dedicated research space, equipment library and teaching/training facility that all at DRI can use, contribute to and share.

Equipment from the MAVL can be used by DRI researchers for projects such as characterization of pollutants in air and water samples, particle morphology and elemental analysis, identification of microfossils, or forensics. To discuss research needs related to micro-imaging and analysis, contact lab manager Dave Rhode at dave.rhode@dri.edu.

The MAVL provides researchers with access to a range of microscopic platforms, cameras and other equipment, including:

Perkins-Elmer Opera imaging system – An automated high-content, high-throughput laser scanning confocal microplate screening and imaging system.
Hitachi TM-1000 tabletop scanning microscope – An easy-to-use, high magnification scanning microscope that requires very little sample preparation. Has energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy capabilities.
Olympus BX-51 transmitted light microscope – An all-around excellent general scope with Brightfield, phase contrast, and DIC objectives; basic polarizing capabilities; side port for training/teaching applications; and, digital camera and basic image measurement software package. Excellent for pollen, starch, phytoliths.
Olympus BX-60 – a fluorescence microscope with a digital camera
AmScope BH-200 – a fluorescence microscope with digital camera and basic image measurement package
Arcturus Laser Capture and Microdissection System – for isolating and capturing specific cell samples from mixed cell populations for biomolecular analysis
Nikon Eclipse TE-2000-U Inverted Live Cell Microscope
Nikon Eclipse TE-300 Inverted Microscope with Eppendorf Micromanipulator System – has micromanipulator probes for efficient examination of tissues
Microm HM 500 – Cryostat microtome for creating thin sections
PCR-capable laminar flow cabinet for dust-free slide and sample preparation
Rockhound – Hand-held portable Raman spectrometer
Thermo-Niton XL3t GOLDD+ – Portable x-ray fluorescence spectrometer
Nikon Optiphot and Labophot Optical Microscopes
Stereozoom (Dissecting) Scopes
Computers, monitors, basic image analysis software
Digital and film cameras
Objectives, condensers, stages, other spare parts
Lamps

Training on some of the equipment is available upon request. Sample processing may be available on a case-by-case basis.

Dave Rhode, Ph.D.
Director of the Micro Analysis and Visualization Laboratory
Research Professor Archaeology
Division of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences
Contact: Dave.Rhode@dri.edu
CV/Bio: Dr. Dave Rhode

Dr. Rhode is a prehistorian, archaeobotanist, and paleoecologist with 40 years experience throughout western North America. His main focus of research concerns prehistoric human adaptations and paleoenvironmental change in arid environments. Towards this end, he has analyzed packrat middens and pollen from various paleoenvironmental locales, examined plant remains from various archaeological sites throughout western North America, and studied starch granules and pollenfrom archaeological sites and artifacts. In addition to his paleoenvironmental research, Dr. Rhode has directed several large archaeological programs for the US Department of Defense and Department of Energy. Since 2001, he has also developed a research program in the Tibetan Plateau of western China with colleagues Jeff Brantingham (UCLA), David Madsen (U Texas), John Olsen (U Arizona) and Charles Perreault (ASU).

Photo Gallery

MAVL-workstation

Work stations in the MAVL can be configured to your specialized needs.

MAVL-hitachitm-1000

Hitachi TM-1000 tabletop scanning electron microscope, capable of 25-10,000X magnification. This unit is equipped with a Swift energy dispersive spectroscopic unit for elemental micro-characterization.