Single-molecule confocal microscope
The confocal scanning microscope is built around an Olympus IX71 inverted microscope and equipped with two TAU-SPADs-100 single-photon avalanche photodiodes allowing single-molecule detection. Two Coherent Obis laser-diodes with emission wavelengths of 532 and 637 nm can be modulated in alternating periods to allow Alternating-Laser EXcitation (ALEX) spectroscopy.
Main Applications:
- Surface-based single-molecule imaging
- Solution-based single-molecule spectroscopy
- ALEX spectroscopy
MicroTime 200 STED, PicoQuant
The MicroTime 200 STED is a time-resolved confocal microscope with single-molecule sensitivity and super-resolution capabilities.
Laser Excitation Modules:
STED module contains 766 nm (STED laser), 595 nm and 640 nm lasers;
VIS module contains 440 nm, 485 nm and 532 nm lasers.
Main Applications:
- Stimulated Emission Depletion Microscopy (STED), optical resolution below 50 nm
- Single-Molecule Imaging
- Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLIM)
- Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS)
- Lifetime-based Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FLIM-FRET)
Pulsed Interleaved Excitation (PIE)
LSM 710 ConfoCor 3, Zeiss
LSM 710 ConfoCor 3 is a flexible and modular confocal laser scanning microscope for high-end fluorescence imaging with highest sensitivity, resolution and speed and FCS spectroscopy. 405 nm, 488 nm 543 nm and 632 nm CW lasers are employed for fluorescence excitation. Objectives are 20x and 40x. The system contains 2 PMTs and 2 APDs for fluorescence detection, and 1 PMT for transmission measurements.
Main Applications:
- Fluorescence correlation (FCS) and crosscorrelation (FCCS) spectroscopy
- Quantitative Imaging with single-molecule sensitivity
- Spectral Imaging
- Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP)
AxioObserver, inverted microscope, Zeiss
The AxioObserver employs LEDs (Colibri, Zeiss) as an excitation source of fluorescence. Currently, 365 nm, 470 nm, 505 nm and 625 nm LEDs and 20x (0.5 NA), 20x (0.4 NA), 40x (1.3 NA), 63x (1.6 NA) and 100x (1.4 NA) objectives are installed. DefiniteFocus monitors and reliably compensates focus drifts with a closed loop system. The microscope equipped with an incubation chamber for temperature control.
Main Applications:
Long term bright field and fluorescence live-cell imaging
Wide-Field Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) microscope
The TIRF microscope is built around an Olympus IX81 inverted microscope and equipped with a Hamamatsu EM-CCD camera allowing single-molecule detection. ZDC (Z Drift Compensation) module monitors and reliably compensates focus drifts. As fluorescence activation and excitation sources the following CW- laser lines are used: 405 nm, 488 nm, 561 nm and 637 nm. Objectives are 16x ( 0.3 NA) and 100x (1.49 NA)
Main Applications:
- Single-molecule localization imaging
- Super-resolution microscopy
- Time-lapse imaging
- Single-molecule displacement mapping
