Fluorescence Microscopy

Leica TCS SP8 Confocal & STED Super Resolution Microscope

The Leica SP8 Confocal Microscope is a flexible laser-scanning system for high-resolution imaging of fixed and live samples. It offers flexible excitation wavelengths via a white light laser and sensitive hybrid detectors for multi-color flexibility. There is also fast resonant and high-resolution galvo scanning, and advanced imaging options such as FLIM, FRAP, and FRET and STED (super-resolution imaging), making it ideal for a wide range of applications such as dynamic live-cell studies, molecular interactions, and nanoscale imaging, making it a versatile tool for a wide range of research applications. This system is currently used by researchers across many disciplines, including biologists, chemists and engineers. 

Specifications: 

• Pulsed 405 nm diode laser
• White light Laser - excitation wavelengths from 470 nm - 670 nm
• 592 nm and 660 nm STED depletion lasers for super resolution imaging
• Fluorescent Lifetime Microscopy using HyD single molecule detectors
• FLIM, FCS, FLCS, FRAP and FRET measurements.
• 2 Internal standard PMT confocal detectors, 2 Internal HyD GaAsP SMD detectors for gated imaging and 1 CCD camera
• 10x air, 20x, 40x and 63x (with motorized correction collar) water, 63x and 100x oil objectives.
• Resonant scanner for imaging at 24 frames per second.
• Galvoflow, SuperZ galvanometer
• 37°C degree stage top CO² incubator for live cell imaging

Featured Publications:

Holden, L. et al. (2024) ‘Targeting mitochondrial guanine quadruplexes for photoactivatable chemotherapy in hypoxic environments’, Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 63(41). doi:10.1002/anie.202408581.

Treacy, N.J. et al. (2023) ‘Growth and differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hipsc)-derived kidney organoids using fully synthetic peptide hydrogels’, Bioactive Materials, 21, pp. 142–156. doi:10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.08.003.

Kazatskaya, A. et al. (2017) ‘Primary cilium formation and ciliary protein trafficking is regulated by the atypical MAP kinase MAPK15 incaenorhabditis elegansand human cells’, Genetics, 207(4), pp. 1423–1440. doi:10.1534/genetics.117.300383.

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Nikon Eclipse Ti-E Fluorescence Microscope

The Nikon Ti-E Widefield Microscope is a versatile inverted widefield system for high-quality imaging of both fixed and live samples. It offers brightfield and LED fluorescence illumination for uniform, multi-color imaging with low phototoxicity. A motorized stage and optional environmental control enable automated multi-position and long-term live-cell experiments. This makes the Ti-E a reliable platform for a wide range of biological applications.

Specifications: 

• 3 filter sets with LED illumination: DAPI, FITC & Cy3
• Motorized programmable stage
• 20x, 40x and 60x and 100x objectives
• Multiple imaging modes: Multichannel, Multipoint, Z Stack, Time Series and Large Image Stitching
• 37°C degree stage top CO² incubator for live cell imaging

Featured Publications:

Redmond, J. et al. (2022) ‘Development and characterisation of 3D collagen-gelatin based scaffolds for breast cancer research’, Biomaterials Advances, 142, p. 213157. doi:10.1016/j.bioadv.2022.213157.

Bagga, K. et al. (2017) ‘Nanoparticle functionalized laser patterned substrate: An innovative route towards low cost biomimetic platforms’, RSC Advances, 7(13), pp. 8060–8069. doi:10.1039/c6ra27260f.

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Discover Echo Revolution Microscope

The Discover Echo Revolution Microscope is a hybrid inverted/upright system for brightfield, fluorescence, phase-contrast, and polarized imaging. It combines high-performance LED illumination with sensitive cameras for high-quality multi-modal imaging. Automated functions such as multi-position, z-stack, stitching, and time-lapse make it well suited for live-cell and fixed-sample studies, as well as high throughput using up to 96 well plates. This flexibility makes the Revolution a powerful tool for a wide range of applications and is used by researchers across life science, material science and engineering. 

Specifications: 

• 4 filter sets with LED illumination: DAPI, FITC, TRITC & Cy5
• Motorised stage
• 4x, 10x, 20x, 40x and 60x and 100x objectives
• Multiple imaging modes: Multichannel, Multipoint, Z Stack, Time Series and Mosaic/Image Stitching
• 5MP CMOS Color Camera for brightfield and 5MP sCMOS Mono camera for fluorescence
• Polarised and Phase constrast imaging 

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