MPuv Laser beam

Microscopes

Confocal Microscopes

The Imaging Facility currently houses thirteen confocal microscopes with various stage and laser configurations.

1. Multi-photon UV (MPuv) ~ Room 505

MPuv consists of a Leica upright microscope with temperature controlled Ludin Chamber, high quality objectives from 10x - 63x and motorised xyz stage, and is therefore capable of producing large xy and z montages . The new generation of spectral scan head with acousto-optical beam-splitter (AOBS) opens up a host of new functionality not available on other confocal systems. Lasers options are state of the art multi- and single photon lasers. Conventional lasers lines include; Ultra Violet, Blue-Argon, Green-Krypton Argon and Green-Helium Neon. The mutli-photon laser is capable of producing wavelengths from about 700nm-1000nm which excite fluorophores from the UV, right through to the Cy5 range.

2. Multi-photon 2 (MP2) ~ Room 504

MP2 consists of a Leica fixed stage upright microscope with temperature and CO2 controlled Ludin chamber, AOBS spectral scan head and 10x - 63x long working distance water immersion objectives. This microscope configuration is ideally suited for live-cell/in vivo imaging. In addition, there is a stage mounted micromanipulator with microinjection facilities. Laser options are state of the art multi- and single photon lasers. Conventional lasers lines include; Blue-Argon, Green-Krypton Argon and Green-Helium Neon. The multi-photon laser is capable of producing wavelengths from about 700nm-1000nm which excite fluorophores from the UV, right through to the Cy5 range.

3. Mp_opo ~ Room 507

This is a high resolution microscope, with an Optical Parametric Oscilator allowing 2/3-photon imaging up to 1350nm. The SP8 has the new Field of View scanner (FOV) that allows a 22mm field of view at normal scan rates. The resonant scanner allows 8KHZ imaging: you can do approximately 30 frames per second at 512 x 512 pixel resolution in bi-directional mode. Faster frame rates are achievable with different image sizes. The microscope is equipped with an environmental chamber, with separate temperature and CO2 control, for live cell/embryo imaging. There is a motorised x, y stage for large montages or multi-position time-lapse, and low-noise solid-state lasers. The microscope also has 2 HyD and 1 conventional external PMTs, and 2 HyD and 1 conventional internal PMTs. There is a good range of CS objectives (20x - 63x), with a new 25x 0.95 NA water dipper.

4. Olympus TIRF System ~ Room 540

The unit has recently acquired an Olympus TIRF (Total Internal Reflection) confocal with SIM scanner and perfect focus. It can also be used as a conventional confocal system. It has five laser lines including UV and 440nm for CFP/YFP.

5. SP2 ~ Room 503

SP2 consists of a Leica upright microscope with high quality objectives from 5x - 63x and AOBS spectral scan head. Lasers options include; Blue-Argon, Green-Krypton Argon and Green-Helium Neon. This microscope can be used for all the common fluorophores from FITC - Cy5 wavelengths.

6. SP8vis ~ Room 502

The SP8vis is a high resolution single photon microscope. It has the new Field of View scanner (FOV), that allows a 22mm field of view at normal scan rates. The resonant scanner allows 8KHZ imaging: you can do approximately 30 frames per second at 512 x 512 pixel resolution in bi-directional mode. Faster frame rates are achievable with different image sizes. The microscope is equipped with an environmental chamber, with separate temperature and CO2 control, for live cell/embryo imaging. There is a motorised x, y stage for large montages or multi-position time-lapse, and low-noise solid-state lasers. The microscope also has 2 HyD and 2 conventional PMTs, as well as a transmission PMT. There is a good range of CS objectives (20x - 63x), with a new 25x 0.95 NA water dipper.

7, 8 and 9. SPE1, SPE2 and SPEinv ~ Rooms 517 and 506

The unit has three Leica TCS SPE confocal microscopes: two uprights, and one inverted system. These are high-resolution spectral confocals, with a single detection channel and four lasers that can be used for sequential imaging of multiple fluorophores. Each microscope is equipped with an environmental chamber with separate temperature amd CO2 control for live-cell/embryo imaging.

Key Features include:

* Variable motorised pinhole
* 405, 488, 532 and 635nm excitation
* Low-noise solid-state lasers
* High dynamic PMT with photon booster technology
* Freely tunable spectral detection (430 - 750nm)
* AOTF tuning for minimising cell damage
* Motorised beam splitter
* Advanced Correction System (ACS) for perfect colocalisation of fluorophores
* Small footprint
* Minimal maintenance

All of the above microscopes can be booked using the online booking system (there is a link in the Menu bar at the top of this page). If you are not registered to use it, please call 020 7679 0904 (external) x40904 (internal) to be added to the system.

Microscopes in the Medical Sciences Building:

10. Multi-photon microscope ~ Room 143

Zeiss Axioskop META 510 NLO equipped with Coherent Chameleon tunable laser (700-1020nm). Ideal for deep tissue analysis and equipped with Becker and Hickl FLIM system for fluorescence lifetime detection. This upright system is also equipped with 458, 488, 514, 543 and 633nm laser lines.

Fitted with 10x, 40x and 63x water dipping objectives. META detector (8 channel detector) for collection of variable emission, for spectral analysis and for separation of overlapping spectra.

This two photon microscope is now equipped with an independently controlled motorised stage that allows flexiblity in height - i.e. it can accommodate large tissue baths, tissue slices, and is ideal for larger samples.

11. Zeiss 510 META UV-vis ~ Room 143

Inverted Zeiss Axiovert microscope with a motorised stage for multi-location work, environmental chamber and 351, 364, 458, 488, 514, 543, 633nm laser lines.

Objectives available 10x, 20x, 40x and 63x. Equipped with META detector (8 channel detector) for collection of variable emission, spectral analysis and spectral separation.

12. Zeiss 510 META ~ Room 126

Inverted Zeiss Axiovert microscope with 405, 458, 488, 514, 543, 633nm laser lines.

Objectives available 10x, 20x, 40x and 63x. Equipped with META detector (8 channel detector) for variable emission collection, spectral analysis and spectral separation.

13. Zeiss 700 ~ Room 143

Inverted Zeiss Axio Observer microscope with a motorised stage for multi-location work, with 405, 488, 555, 633nm diode laser lines.

Objectives available 5x, 10x, 20x, 40x and 63x. Equipped with Definite Focus feature to avoid focal drift due to vibrations or temperature fluctuations during lengthy experiments.

Tissue Culture Facility

Incubator available for short term storage of specimens. Class II biological safety cabinets and slicing room, can be used for specimen preparation.

To book these machines please contact Sam Ranasinghe. Telephone number: 020 7679 3206. Internal phone: x33206.

Charges

• Biosciences ~ All confocal microscopes: £20.00 per hour.

• Non-Biosciences ~ All confocal microscopes: £28.00 per hour.

• Overnight: £10.00 per hour (must be a minimum of eight hours' usage).

• ALL new users will be required to undergo a training session at a cost of £150.00.

• Wide-field fluorescence/brightfield with environmental chamber time-lapse: £10.00 per half day.

  Please phone 020 7679 0904 (external) or x40904 (internal) to book this microscope.

   

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Leica Multi-photon 2 confocal

Leica SPE1 confocal

Leica SPE inverted confocal

Olympus confocal

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