An integrated confocal and magnetic resonance microscope for observing living cells

We have combined a confocal fluorescence optical microscope and a magnetic resonance microscope into one instrument to image simultaneously a living cell system. The high spatial resolution confocal and high spectral resolution magnetic resonance microscope produces a set of closely linked, complementary images. To enhance the value of this image set, we have also developed a statistical method, local linear modeling, to predict a high spatial resolution magnetic resonance image from the confocal optical and magnetic resonance image pair. This high spatial, high spectral resolution image offers insights not available in images obtained from separate studies, nor available in the viewing the image pair as is. This paper presents first results from application of this instrument and local linear modeling, a statistical prediction technique, to a calibration phantom and a Xenopus laevis oocyte cluster.