Confocal
Nikon AX-R with NSPARC
The Nikon AXR is a laser scanning confocal microscope, designed for a broad range of applications, including live cell imaging, three-dimensional reconstructions, FRAP/FRET analysis, large area scanning, and spectral analyses. The system is based on the Ti2 microscope stand, which includes the Perfect Focus stabilization system and an automated water immersion dispenser, and features a 25mm wide field of view. The scanhead features an 8k galvo scanner as well as a 2k resonant scanner capable of rapid image acquisition and enabling simultaneous photobleaching/photostimulation and image acquisition. The detectors include 4 GAsP detectors for visible range detection and spectral detector for hyperspectral images in up to 66 emission channels for unmixing. The system, furthermore, incorporates Nikon’s Spatial Array Confocal (NSPARC) detector, which permits for live cell imaging due to its ultra-low noise levels, and can be used to generate sub-diffraction limited resolution images down to 120 nm.
System configuration
- Laser lines: 405, 445, 488, 514, 561, and 640 nm
- Objectives: 2X, 4X, 10X and 20X dry, 20X and 40X water, 25X silicone, and 40X, 60X, and 100X high NA oil immersion
- Motorized stage: xy-stage
- Prior nanopositioning piezo z-insert with 200µm travel range
- Incubation: Tokai-hit stage-top incubator capable of temperature, humidity and CO2 regulation
Zeiss LSM 980 Confocal with Airyscan2 (Upright)
The Zeiss LSM 980 Airyscan 2 confocal microscope is suitable for a broad range of applications including spectral and rapid imaging. The system is based on a motorized upright Zeiss Axio Examiner Z1 microscope frame. The system is equipped with a unique scan head, incorporating a high-resolution galvo scanner along with two multi-alkali PMTs and a 32-element Galium Arsenide Phosphate spectral detector, and a transmitted light PMT for simultaneous DIC imaging. A motorized stage and custom stagetop piezo allow for fast and precise lateral and axial movements. Lastly, the Airscan 2 unit provides sub-diffraction limited imaging, down to 120nm in the lateral direction, as well as several parallelization modes for capturing spatial information at up to 9.6 Hz at full field of view.
System configuration
- Laser lines: 405, 458, 488, 514, 561 and 633nm
- Objectives: 2.5X, 10X and 20X dry and 40X water, and 63X high NA oil immersion, 10X, 20X, 40X and 63X water dipping
- Motorized stage: xy-stage including a nano-positioning z-piezo stage insert
Live Cell Confocal
Nikon W1 CSU SoRa Spinning Disk Confocal and Superresolution
The Nikon W1 CSU SoRa is a wide field, spinning disk confocal and optical reassignment superresolution platform, suitable for live cell imaging as well as fixed samples. The system is equipped with 4 lines of excitation and detection is performed on a Hamamatsu Fusion BT sCMOS camera. The stand provides a 22mm field of view, and includes a stage top incubator, an MCL piezo stage insert with 200µm of axial movement, and Nikon’s Perfect Focus stabilization platform.
System configuration
- Laser lines: 405, 488, 561 and 640nm
- Sub-diffraction limited resolution down to 120nm in the lateral plane
- Objectives: 4X, 10X and 20X dry, 20x and 40X long working distance water, 25X and 40X silicone, and 60X and 100X high NA oil immersion
- Motorized stage: xy-stage including a nano-positioning piezo z-insert
- Incubation: Tokai-hit stage-top incubator capable of temperature, humidity, and CO2 regulation
Widefield
Zeiss AxioImager Z2
The Zeiss Axio Imager Z2 is a motorized upright brightfield / fluorescence microscope equipped with an ApoTome 3 optical sectioning grid imager. The system is equipped with an LED illumination source and filtersets for DAPI, GFP, RFP and far-red imaging as well with the relevant prisms and sliders for Differential Interference Contrast Microscopy (DIC). The system is equipped with two cameras; a Hammatsu Orca Fusion BT sCMOS camera for fluorescence and a Zeiss 820 color CCD camera for histological imaging.
System configuration
- Excite LED excitation source
- Objectives: 5X, 10X, 20X dry, 40X water immersion (corr), and 63X oil
- MBF Motorized stage: xy-stage
- Use either Zeiss ZEN Blue or MBF Neurolucida for acquisition
Two-Photon
Bruker Ultima 2pPlus
The Bruker Ultima 2pPlus is an upright multiphoton platform designed for live animal imaging. The system is equipped with 2 separate lasers- a dual line Coherent Chameleon Discovery, allowing for simultaneous imaging of 2 fluorophores, and a Coherent Monaco, a 40W fixed line laser, designed to be used for optical stimulation. The 2pPlus is equipped with 4 reflected light non-descanned detectors and one substage detector for forward-scattering processes. The Neuralight 3D Ultra spatial light modulator is a holographic optical stimulator, allowing for ensemble activations at 600Hz or within 1.6ms between activation patterns. The system features an industry-leading 28mm field of view, a high resolution galvanic scanner and a high speed resonant scanner. Lateral movement is provided by a motorized translation base (fixed stage), and axial movement is accomplished through an electro-tunable lens, offering 5-15ms switch speeds.
System configuration
- 28mm FOV (1.4mm x 1.4mm with a 16x objective)
- Laser lines:
- Coherent Discovery TPC- one tunable (680-1300nm) and one fixed (1040nm) lines
- Coherent Monaco 40W- fixed 1040nm
- Detectors: 4 above-stage NDDs (3 GaAsP, 1MA) and one substage detector (GaAsP)
- Galvano and resonant scanners
- Neuralight 3D Ultra spatial light modulator for holographic optical stimulation
- Simultaneous excitation/detection of 2 fluorophores
- Objectives: 4X and 10X dry objectives for large field of view acquisitions, 20X extra-long working distance for imaging using GRIN lenses, 16X, 25X IR, and 40X water dipping cones
- Kent Scientific Somnoflo isoflurane anesthesia system
- Kent Scientific RightTemp Jr animal homeostasis system
Lightsheet
Miltenyi Ultra Microscope Blaze
The Miltenyi UM Blaze is a large volume light sheet platform designed for imaging whole cleared organs in an efficient and automated manner. The platform features 3 objectives with caps for aqueous- and organic solvent-based clearing methods: a 1.1X/0.1, 4X/0.35 and a 12X/0.53, which, when coupled with the tube lens magnification, allow for effective imaging magnification ranging from 0.4X to 32X. The system offers 5 lines of excitation, which are directed from six angles to reduce shadowing and generate equal sample illumination. The sample holder offers the ability to load up to 5 samples at a time, or, using the available XL chamber, to image samples as large as a whole animal.
System configuration
- Laser lines: 405, 488, 561, 640, and 785 nm
- Objectives: 1.1X/0.1, 4X/0.35, and 12X/0.53 with RI-matching caps for aqueous and organic clearing methods
- 6-angle excitation
- 4.2 Mpx sCMOS camera, 6.5 μm- 2048 x 2048 pixels
- XL chamber for large sample imaging
- Motorized stage: xyz-stage