High-Resolution Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope with Spectral Detection

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Imaging is a central methodological pillar of the biosciences at the University of Münster. Modern biosensing approaches are currently gaining particular importance at the university. Biosensing does not only provide information about structures and movements in cells, tissues and organisms, but adds novel depth of insight about local physiology and biochemical function live in the living system. This methodological direction has recently been strengthened through the new appointment of Markus Schwarzländer as professor at the Institute for Plant Biology and Biotechnology, which will generate synergies with several research groups of the institute, the Faculty of Biology, and the University and support the development of new coordinated initiatives. Living plant tissues will be the main focus of the planned biosensing-based investigations. The techniques will be of strong interest, however, also for several research groups working on other systems, such as in mammalian cells. While the Schwarzländer lab had access to a suitable instrument before starting in Münster, there is now no confocal microscopy system available that fulfills the requirements with respect to access and technical versatility to enable operation and future development of the new research group. Hence, we apply for an inverted, high resolution confocal laser scanning microscopy system with fast spectral detection. The system will serve as a flexible platform for live biosensing using fluorescent proteins and similar fluorescent probes. Experiments will include sample manipulation and parallel imaging of subcellular physiology live on the microscope stage. A particular focus will be the quantitative and parallelized detection of several fluorophores within the same living sample, which requires flexible laser excitation and fast spectral detection. Moreover, investigation of structure-function relationships within subcellular compartments needs to be enabled in living systems, which will require components for high resolution imaging. Fast and dynamic processes need to be resolved with minimal interference with the living sample, to gain unperturbed insight into subcellular functions. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to study protein complexes will be an additional requirement for the lasers and detectors. The system will be operated within the Münster Imaging Network as a decentralized instrument. This will enable broad use for particularly demanding applications in high-performance fluorescence microcopy and integrate research activities in biosensing at the university.