Kipnes Lymphatic Imaging Suite

Dianne and Irving Kipnes Lymphatic Imaging Suite

As a core resource at the Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, we are part of the Lymphedema Research and Education Program at the University of Calgary. We use advanced imaging techniques to study the regulation of lymphatic system function in health and diseases. We provide the world-class microscopes to image events occurring within tissue lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes, and we provide our support to any researchers who share the interest in lymphatic research.

Dianne and Irving Kipnes Lymphatic Imaging Suite Information

Services

  • Access to imaging equipment.
  • Access to lymphatic reporter mice.
  • Microsurgical surgical procedures for lymphatic imaging.
  • Surgical support for making chronic chambers: dorsal skin fold chamber, mammary fatpad chamber, lymph node chamber and cranial chamber.

Equipment

  • Inverted confocal.
  • Upright multiphoton microscope with Deep-see laser and confocal features.
  • Inverted wide field fluorescent and bright field microscope.
  • Fluorescent stereo microscope with infrared imaging capacity. Surgical station.

Key Areas of Research

  • Lymphatic contraction in health and disease models.
  • Lymph drainage and immune cell trafficking.
  • Lymphatic function and Immune regulation.
  • Cancer lymphatic metastasis.
  • Lymphatic function in acute and chronic inflammation.
  • Lymphatic function in infectious diseases

Selected Publications

  • Liao S et al. Impaired lymphatic contraction associated with immunosuppression. Proc Natl AcadSci U S A. 2011 Nov 15;108(46):18784-9.
  • Cheng G & Liao S et al. Engineered blood vessel networks connect to host vasculature via wrapping-and-tapping anastomosis.Blood. 2011 Oct 27;118(17):4740-9
  • Jeong HS & Jones D et al.Investigation of the Lack of Angiogenesis in the Formation of Lymph Node Metastases.J Natl Cancer Inst. 2015 Jun 10;107(9).

Contacts

Shan Liao, PhD 
Assistant Professor
Dept. Microbiology, Immunology & Infectious Diseases
Scientific Director Lymphatic Imaging Suite
HSC 1647 (office): 403.220.7356
HSC 2541 (lab): 403.210.7745
Email: liaos@ucalgary.ca

Pierre-Yves von der Weid  
Associate Professor
Department of Physiology & Pharmacology
Scientific Director Lymphedema Research and Education Program
HSC 2825 (office): 403.220.7967
Email: vonderwe@ucalgary.ca