Equipment
Here is a closer look at our microscopy and other imaging tools for cell and tissue research available at the Advanced Cellular & Tissue Microscopy Core. We offer a range of cutting-edge tools to meet your needs for tissue and cell imaging and examination.
Confocal Microscopes
Fluoview FV3000 Confocal Microscope (F6-014)
The FLUOVIEW FV3000 series is designed to meet some of the most difficult challenges in modern science. Featuring the high sensitivity and speed required for live cell and tissue imaging, the FV3000 enables 2D-6D (x,y,z,t,λ,p) macro to micro imaging of cells, tissues, and small organisms. With an intuitive and adaptable user interface, the FV3000 supports complete workflows from image acquisition to processing and analysis. Particular attention has been paid to the needs of cell biology, cancer research, and stem cell research, and with two new upright configurations, the FV3000 is also poised to meet the needs of neuroscience, electrophysiology, and developmental biology. (From Olympus website)
- High Sensitivity Multi-Channel Imaging
- Macro to Micro Imaging and Super Resolution
- Increase Productivity with High Speed Imaging
- Accurate Time-lapse Imaging
- Superior Objectives: 2x, 10x, 20x, 30x, 40x, 100x
- Long-lasting reliable diode lasers: 405, 445, 488, 514, 561, 640, 730
- Tokai Hit STX: Stage top incubator for CO2, Temperature, Humidity control
Nikon A1 Confocal Imaging System (F6-017)
The Nikon A1 Confocal Imaging System has a Hybrid Confocal Scan Head that enhances the optical efficiency and minimizes light loss. It can perform ultra-high-speed imaging; the system provides fast spectral imaging at 16 fps (512x64 pixels) and real-time spectral unmixing. With average light transmission of 98 percent, it can deliver up to a 30 percent increase in fluorescence detection efficiency. (From Nikon website)
Live Cell and High Content Imaging
IncuCyte® S3 Live-Cell Imaging System (F6)
IncuCyte allows you to place a microscope inside your incubator, taking advantage of an asset you already own as well as eliminating any potential problems that may result from disturbing cells during the observation process. This IncuCyte approach makes long-term kinetic imaging convenient and affordable. It provides a more efficient and thorough set of solutions for long-term, live-cell imaging. The IncuCyte is designed with increased productivity and supports hundreds of standard varieties of cell culture vessels, including 96- and 384-well plates, T-flasks, dishes and micro-slides. With three configurable trays, you can mix and match multiple vessels and even monitor different experiments running concurrently. The IncuCyte automatically acquires and analyzes HD phase, and fluorescent (GFP and RFP) images of living cells with the option of using a 4x, 10x, or 20x objective. Coupled with the image acquisition is an analysis system that enables real-time measurements of cell health, proliferation, and function. Application specific processing and analysis is available for, but not limited to, cell migration/invasion, chemotaxis, monitoring spheroids, angiogenesis, and neurite tracking. (From Sartorius website)
ImageStreamX High Resolution Microscopy in Flow (F6-014)
The ImageStreamX combines the high-speed capture of high-resolution imagery with detailed quantitation to create a statistically robust microscopy platform for a wide range of cell analysis applications. ImageStreamX produces up to 12 high resolution images of each cell directly in flow, at rates exceeding 1,000 cells per second with the fluorescence sensitivity of the best conventional flow cytometers. These breakthrough capabilities allow you to quantitate cellular morphology and the intensity and location of fluorescent probes on, in or between cells, even in rare sub-populations and highly heterogeneous samples. With this system, you can image cells directly in suspension with the resolution of a 60X microscope and the fluorescence sensitivity of the best flow cytometers. You can analyze highly heterogeneous samples and rare cell sub-populations at speeds exceeding 1,000 cells per second, as well as perform phenotypic and functional studies at the same time using up to five lasers and 12 images per cell. The system will help you quantitate virtually anything you can see using the IDEAS® software package’s numerous pre-defined fluorescence and morphologic parameters.
ImageXpress Micro High Content Screening Widefield Microscope (F6-014)
The ImageXpress Micro is a fully-integrated wide-filed imaging system for automatic acquisition and data analysis for high content cell-based screening system. It will fully satisfy the demanding need of drug discovery as well as phenotypic screening in biological research such as small molecules, nano particles or RNAi. (From Molecular Devices website)
- Accelerates screening to > 10 million cells per hour, up to 5 channels imaging acquisition simultaneously
- Compatible with 6-, 24-, 96- and 384-format multi-well plate types and standard slides
- Environmental control provides both capabilities for one-time fixed and kinetic live cell screening
- Robotic fluidics option provides the compatibility of adding/exchanging solutions without taking the plates out
NanoString
nCounter Pro (F6-014)
The nCounter Pro Analysis System delivers highly reproducible gene expression data on 800+ targets for digitally counting individual RNA molecules with zero enzymatic steps using a simple automated workflow. Compatible with even the most difficult sample types, such as FFPE, you get robust performance that drives biomarker discovery and development. (From NanoString website)
GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler (F6-014)
GeoMx DSP seamlessly enables spatial transcriptomics and proteomics with a workflow that combines standard pathology and molecular profiling with efficient data analysis. GeoMx RNA assays enable quantitative, spatial analysis of 100s of transcripts up to the whole transcriptome from a single section of FFPE or fresh frozen tissue. GeoMx Protein assays enable targeted spatial profiling of 100s of proteins from FFPE tissue sections. GeoMx DSP also enables Spatial Proteogenomics by combining both Protein and RNA assays on the same slide. Quantify RNA and protein expression levels with direct, digital counting of barcodes using the nCounter® Analysis System or sequencing on an Illumina platform. (From NanoString website)
CosMx Spatial Molecular Imager (F6-014)
CosMx SMI is a high-plex in situ analysis platform to provide spatial multiomics with formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) and fresh frozen (FF) tissue samples at cellular and subcellular resolution. CosMx SMI enables rapid quantification and visualization of up to 1,000 RNA and 64 validated protein analytes. It is the flexible, spatial single-cell imaging platform that will drive deeper insights for cell atlasing, tissue phenotyping, cell-cell interactions, cellular processes, and biomarker discovery. (From NanoString website)
Regular Widefield Fluorescent Microscopes
EVOS™ FL Auto Imaging System (F6-017)
The EVOS® FL Auto Imaging System is a fully-automated, digital, inverted multi-channel fluorescence and transmitted light imaging system with outstanding workflow efficiency. Designed to meet demanding requirements over a broad range of applications, the EVOS® FL Auto system supports high-resolution mosaic tiling, multi-position well scanning, cell counting with thresholding, and time-lapse studies. The intuitive interface, proprietary light cubes, dual cameras, precision automated stage and parfocal optical system enables you to produce publication quality images in seconds. (From ThermoFisher website)
Research Stereo Microscope (F6-014)
The SZX16 is designed for advanced research and is suitable for oblique and brightfield illumination. With an easy to use carousel the option to view fluorescence using DAPI, GFP, RFP, and Cy7 filters is available. Its maximum numerical aperture (NA) of 0.3 produces a resolution of 900 linepairs per millimeter, enabling more sample information to be gained efficiently. The large zoom ratio of 16.4:1, combined with the comprehensive range of parfocal objectives with excellent working distances, allows easy switching between a macro- and micro-view. Imaging of the whole organism down to fine microscopic and individual cell structures becomes an easy task with an optical system that provides a natural, distortion-free view. The SZX16 provides the option to choose between a DP72 camera capable of high color reproduction and sensitivty or an ORCA-Flash4.0 sCMOS camera for better signal-to-noise ratio, faster speeds, and quality images or videos. (From Olympus website)
Regular Inverted BF and Fluorescent Microscope (F6-014)
The IX81 begins with a unique two-tiered, V-shaped optical design that provides tremendous versatility without frame modifications and bright images with minimal reflections. An optional six-position fluorescence filter turret accepts a unique analyzer holder for switching between DIC/polarized light and fluorescence observations. With its built-in motorized Z-axis drive, six-position nosepiece and light path selector, the IX81 is ready for multi-wavelength, advanced fluorescence and de-convolution techniques. The IX-81 also provides the option for darkfield imaging at a 100x magnification using a U-DCW 1.2-1.4 NA darkfield oil immersion condenser. (From Olympus website)
Regular Upright BF and Fluorescent Microscope (F6-014)
The BX61’s completely modular frame and optical design provides a flexible, fast, reliable and precise upright BF/fluorescent imaging system. It has been recently upgraded with reflecting imaging. (From Olympus website)
Specialized Microscopes
Spero® Infrared Chemical Imaging Microscope (F6-014)
Until recently, high resolution Infrared spectroscopic imaging of biological systems was performed with Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer systems which required extremely long data collection times. The Daylight Solutions Spero infrared chemical imaging micro-spectrometer is a totally unique system. It provides rapid and precise spectral imaging based on Infrared spectroscopy by employing Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) light sources and extremely high resolution infrared imaging cameras operating at room temperature. The Daylight Solutions Spero system is the only commercial QCL microscope available. The large format camera offers 14X higher pixel density per area than detectors used on FTIR spectrometers. This camera and QCL combination provide large area spectral imaging at 1.4 um per pixel resolution at rates over 20 times faster than FTIR based imaging systems. For example a single frequency image of a 1 cm square tissue sample can be imaged in approximately 5 minutes with Spero verses approximately 6 hours with an interferometer based FTIR microscope system. (From Daylight Solutions website)
Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscope (F6-017)
Total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy has become firmly established over the last few years as a key technique in the investigation of molecular interactions at or near the cell surface. Olympus is experienced in providing advanced TIRF solutions and cellTIRF family takes this technology to the next level with a series of peerless features such as highly advanced optics, unique independent laser control and exceptional accuracy. The cellTIRF-4Line system is easy to use for TIRF, single molecule localization microscopy and FRAP for a range of experimental protocols. The TIRF is equipped with a set of diode lasers for excitation across a various range: 405, 488, 561, and 640. A motorized filter wheel provides the convenience of efficiently switching between a quad laser filter set or single band laser filters for the 488 and 561 lasers. Additionally, the system is capable of environmental control provided by a Tokai Hit system for CO2, Temperature, and Humidity control. (From Olympus website)
Peripheral Equipment
We offer peripheral equipment to support our microscope and imaging systems:
- Tokai Hit Live cell microscopy environmental control system
- Olympus HPZ464 Workstation
- NIS Elements v4.6
- Olympus cellSens Dimension v2.3
- MetaXpress v6.5 Dell Precision T7500 workstation
- ImageStreamX IDEAS v5.0
- Olympus BX61 Micro Suite v3.1
- IncuCyte S3 Analysis and Plate Map Editor
For customized software development of specialized bioassays, contact Dr. Stephen Wong.