The Robert Chambers Laboratory for Cellular Microsurgery

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The Robert Chambers Laboratory(RCL) is a center for training all those interested in cellular micromanipulative techniques applied to biological, agricultural and industrial problems. The laboratory is a commemoration of Robert Chambers, an extraordinary cell biologist, who devised and commercially produced in 1920, in association with Leitz, the Chambers Micromanipulator. This instrument made possible, for the first time, microscopically high power cellular microsurgery and microinjection. Dr. Chambers established many of the fundamental principles applied in present day applications.

The RCL facilities and expertise have been available since 1981 at CCNY in the Department of Biology. Consulting, advising and hands on instruction have been extended to the entire scientific, medical, agriculture and industrial communities.

Aims of the laboratory

1. A major aim of the RCL is to induce wider application of micromanipulative procedures, not only in biology, but with various disciplines of science, agriculture and industry. Also to generate new information, methodology and instrumentation. Effort is made to apply micromanipulation in conjunction with newly developed techniques in modern biochemistry, immunochemistry, electron microscopy, spectroscopy, fluorimetry, cloning, genetic engineering, and image analysis.

2. Teaching Activities:
Graduate Course: Basic Principles of Cellular Microsurgery is taught at The City College, Department of Biology as graduate course or as a tutorial. The course includes the following:
  1. Cellular microsurgery and dissection
  2. Microscopy and micromanipulators
  3. Microinjection
  4. Tool making
  5. Familiarization with different micromanipulator and systems
  6. Research projects using living plant and animal cells.

The diversified instrumentation in the RCL provides capability for organelle (e.g. nuclear) transplantation, injection of macromolecules into cell cytoplasm or nuclei, and for the manipulation of a wide variety of invertebrates or vertebrate eggs or embryos.

3. WORKSHOPS:
A short 2 or 3 day workshop designed to teach basic techniques and principles and familiarization with varied instrumentation, ancillary tool and tool making is available for:

  1. a. Students from other academic institutions.
  2. b. Non degree individuals or professionals from other disciplines.
  3. c. Technicians.
  4. d. Investigators.


4. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES / ADVISEMENT
The RCL is a facility who's members assist and consult interested investigators and others to solve specific problems employing microscopic micromanipulative methodology. Moreover, advisors provide the sources of needed equipment, proper microscopes and ancillary tools. Also, collaborative research is possible.

RCL Activities:
The Members of the RCL design and construct new micromanipulator systems and ancillary instrumentation. They also develop innovated methodology to simplify specific micromanipulative procedures applied to investigators individual research. Presently research activity includes microinjection of plasmids, viruses and viral products into single cells, eggs and developing embryos; the introduction of algae into animal cells to induce symbiosis; morphological and molecular characterization of abnormal giant protozoa found in cell culture; the isolation of single sperm for molecular analysis, and cloning.


Course Designation:
U774/1774: Basic Principles of Cellular Microsurgery and Micromanipulation. 3 credits, 1 hr. Lec. 4hr. Lab, M 1-6 PM.

Prerequisites:
Undergraduate background in cellular biology and cellular physiology or equivalent, one year of graduate studies or equivalent background experience and permission by the instructors.

For future information contact Dr. R. C. Zuzolo or Dr. B. A. Fong
@
Department of Biology at The City College
138th Street and Convent Avenue
New YORK , NY 10031
FAX: 212 650 8585
Phone: (212) 650 8414