The Facility

MMI is the optical microscopy platform at Monash University, with a node at each Melbourne campus (Clayton, ARA, MHTP).

Our instrumentation caters for a variety of applications, including epifluorescence, laser scanning confocals, spinning disc and light sheet microscopes, for fixed or live-cell imaging. The facility is also equipped to conduct advanced techniques including birefringence, Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLIM), Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) to achieve a resolution down to the molecular level.

Registered users are trained to operate the systems independently by our team of microscopists who also provide support in sample preparation and imaging for innovative projects.

MMI works with eResearch to transfer, store, and manage large imaging datasets, enabling secure data flow from instruments to analysis workspaces and long-term storage.

MMI also offers image analysis support with a suite of computers fitted with powerful graphics cards and carrying Imaris, ImageJ, CellPofiler, iLastik and CellPose. MMI also has a licence for the leading deconvolution software Huygens from SVI. MMI provides training and guidance in image analysis best practice. In addition, our Image Analyst can collaborate with users to develop automated pipelines.

MMI regularly collaborates with CryoEM on projects involving correlative light and electron microscopy.