Investigating biological systems through advanced molecular and cellular imaging
Researchers in the Molecular and Cellular Imaging Group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory investigate the complexities of biological systems, analyzing and integrating data across various scales and time frames. Research spans from molecular-level characterization to the broader interactions of multispecies communities, allowing researchers to understand the underlying organizational principles and emergent biological behaviors of natural and engineered systems. These insights and solutions are vital to understanding and manipulating biological systems for environmental, agricultural, and biomedical applications.
Researchers utilize innovative tools for molecular and biological discoveries that clarify how organisms function individually and collectively, advancing fundamental understanding and applications. Credit: Carlos Jones/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy
Central to the research mission is the development and deployment of cutting-edge imaging technologies designed to visualize biological and chemical processes clearly and accurately. The team creates innovative engineered habitats specifically designed for high-resolution imaging and efficient sample collection. This approach enables precise observations of multispecies interactions within complex ecological communities, as well as within host organisms and mimetic environmental conditions. By capturing detailed, real-time visual data, researchers can significantly advance scientific understanding of system-level organization and function.
Researchers also pursue robust advancements in synthetic and molecular biology tools. These tools are crucial in exploring the functionality of cellular and molecular systems, providing foundational insights into how biological entities operate individually and collectively. The group’s synthetic biology projects notably include microbial strain engineering and the innovative use of cell-free systems, which facilitate the synthesis of proteins and metabolites, and clarify complex metabolic networks.
Further enriching the group’s capabilities are nanotechnology projects aimed at analyzing, emulating, and manipulating the unique physical and chemical properties inherent in biological systems. Through advanced biocompatible patterning techniques and careful replication of natural microenvironments, scientists can precisely model and interogate cellular processes.
The group's primary technological advancements concentrate on plant and microbial systems, emphasizing the chemical environments and molecular interactions critical for productive plant-bacteria and plant-fungi interfaces. To support this research, scientists maintain extensive resources in molecular and synthetic biology, mammalian cell culture, and specialized imaging platforms. Additionally, the team leverages ORNL’s Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, employing its sophisticated fabrication and characterization facilities to further scientific discovery.
