The National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research (NCMIR) is located on the University of California, San Diego campus. The mission of NCMIR is to develop technologies to bridge understanding of biological systems between the gross anatomical and molecular scales and to make these technologies broadly available to biomedical researchers. NCMIR provides expertise, infrastructure, technological development, and an environment in which new information about the 3D ultrastructure of tissues, cells, and macromolecular complexes may be accurately and easily obtained and analyzed.

This P41 technology development center supported by the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) fulfills its mission through technology development, collaboration, service, training, and dissemination. NCMIR aims to develop preparative methods and analytical approaches to 3D microscopy applicable to neurobiology and cell biology, incorporating equipment and implementing software that expand the analysis of 3D structure. The core research activities in the areas of specimen development, instrument development, and software infrastructures maximize the advantages of higher voltage electron microscopy and correlated light microscopies to make ambitious imaging studies across scales routine, and to facilitate the use of resources by biomedical researchers. NCMIR actively recruits outside users who will not only make use of these resources, but who also will drive technology development and receive training.

NCMIR's core technologies are part of a coordinated approach to imaging biological systems and fostering scientific collaboration. More information is available here.

A comprehensive listing of NCMIR resources available to outside users can be viewed here.

Requests for use of NCMIR technologies are welcome. More information is available here.