The Image Processing Service and the General Investigation Service united in 1990 as a result of the notable activity developed in the field of digital image processing by different investigative groups. In 1992, thanks to the help of the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (FIS), the Plan Regional de Investigación (FICYT) and the University of Oviedo, the Cytometry Service emerged. With the recognition and accreditation of the Unidad Mixta de Investigación Hospital Central de Asturias, the University of Oviedo on behalf of FIS, in 1993 installed a Confocal Laser Microscopy system in the Image Processing Service.

Both services participate in different European training projects, especially in the COMETT programme with the creation of the University Enterprise Training Partnership TATIANA (Transeuropean Association for Training in Image ANAlysis).

Objectives

ASSISTANCE :

Support and problem solving for investigative groups, as many universities as other centres, that need to use digital image processing and flow cytometry techniques.

TRAINING :

Organisation of courses that allow a greater knowledge of these techniques; collaboration in practical classes for university students within the subject matters in which these techniques are used; development of a specialists' training programme in digital image processing and cytometry in accordance with the European training plans for these professionals.

INVESTIGATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF APPLICATIONS :

Collaboration with other university and business groups in the development of specific applications.

IMAGE PROCESSING SERVICE EQUIPMENT

IMCO 1000-SUN SYSTEM. MICROM S.A.

• SUN 4/330 computer with SPARC processor, 8 MB RAM, 327 MB hard disk.
• IMCO 1000 image processor with 16 MB image memory and HDD module to display true high definition colour.
• SEIKO CH-5514 colour video printer.

IMCO 1 SYSTEM. MICROM S.A.

• IMCO 10 image processor with 3 MB image memory, computer with 2 MB RAM, 80368 microprocessor, co-processor 80387, 90 MB disk.
• EPSON colour scanner.
• OLYMPUS BHS-753-p/esp microscope with fluorescence equipment for reflected light.
• MITSUBISHI colour CP100E colour video printer.
• JVC colour and HITACHI black and white TV cameras.

IMCO 2 SYSTEM. MICROM S.A.

• IMCO 10 processor with 3 MB image memory, computer with 2 MB RAM, 80368 microprocessor, 80387 mathematical co-processor.
• OLYMPUS BHT microscope with observation equipment for transmitted light.
• HITACHI KP100 TV camera.

IMAGE PROCESSING SOFTWARE

• MIP and SMUI. (MICROM S.A.) Image processing and morphometry.
• GEOJARS 10 AND GEOJARS 1000. (MICROM S.A.) Tele-detection and geographic information.
• MIP INTERDENS. (MICROM S.A.) Quantitative densitometry.
• MIP COLOR DENTS. (MICROM S.A.) Colourometric densitometry.
• STEREOL. (S.P.I.C.) Image quantification, stereological measuring methods.

MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM

• Magneto-optics NU DESIGN 128 MB Optical Drive read-write unit.
• MICROTECK 35t Scan Maker slide scan.
• Software: ADOBE PHOTOSHOP LE 1.1

CONFOCAL LASER MICROSCOPE. BIO-RAD MCR.600

• Kr/Ar multiline laser (488mm, 568mm, 647mm)
• PC 80486 computer control, 8 MB RAM, 170 MB disk.
• OLYMPUS IMT-2 inverted microscope.
• Software: COMOS and SOM for acquisition, saving, enhancement and visulisation of images; THRU-VIEW for 3D reconstruction after optical sections.

OTHER COMPUTER SOURCES

• IBM AT computer with 512 KB RAM, 20 MB disk.
• IBM PS/2 50 computer with 1 MB RAM, 60 MB disk.
• DIN AO HP 7568b plotter.
• 486PC computer with 4 MB RAM, 129 MB hard disk.
• 386PC computer with 4 MB RAM, 80 MB hard disk.
• SHARP LCD liquid crystal screen (256 colours).
• BENSON 6321 DIN AO digital tablet.
• ETHERNET network.

CYTOMETRY EQUIPMENT

FACSCAN CELL ANALYZER. BECTON DICKINSON

• Argon-ion laser, HP900 computer, 80 MB, 3 fluorescent detectors, 1 size and 1 complexity detectors.

SEPARATOR-ANALYZER FACSTAR PLUS. BECTON DICKINSON

• Argon-ion laser, UV He-Cd laser, 2 oscyloscopes, pulse processor unit, 4 fluorescent detectors, HP 9000 computer with 4 MB.

CYTOMETRY SOFTWARE

• CONSORT 32: general application under S.O Pascal.
• LISSYS II: taking data and analysis.
• PAINT-A-GATE: DNA study and cell cycle.
• FACSNET: control and transfer by Ethernet network.

CULTIVATION UNITS

• Heraeus incubator, FASTER laminar flow cabin, SELECTA sterilizing apparatus, vacuum/pressure station, SELECTA Pasteur oven, NIKON microscope.

LABORATORY AREA

GENERAL NORMS OF USE

Sessions are requested from the Service Management, who will appoint a day and time. In the application, details of the user and the investigative team are required, as well as a brief description of the work/project that they are trying to develop.

-

In Image Processing 3 user levels have been established:

Level 1. Users without knowledge of the image processing system. They will run applications prepared for users by the service personnel.

Level 2. Users with some knowledge of the system and of image processing. They are able to design their own applications linking existing routines.

Level 3. Users with extensive knowledge of the system and image processing that allows them to create new routines and combine them with those already existing in order to accomplish their application.

In Flow Cytometry

Level 2. Users with training of the systems. They will receive technical help where necessary as well as advice on questions of interpretation.

The Management of the Service will decide within which possible levels of use each user will work. The user undertakes to send a copy of published works in which the equipment of the Services was used for their achievement.

Timetable : Monday to Friday, 9am-2pm and 4pm-7pm.