Inverted Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope

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In this proposal we apply for the replacement of a confocal laser scanning microscope, which now is in use for more than 10 years. More than 40 research groups made use of the instrument. The present instrument served 41 PhD thesises, more than 100 conference contributions and at least 35 peer reviewed publications. Systematic monitoring of publications only was performed within the last four years, which means the outcome of publications is likely to be much higher.The replacement instrument will be used on different scientific backgrounds such as medical, natural science (anima, planta) and material science. Independend from the plethora of individual extremly versatile backgrounds a few common requirements are linked to the majority of all proposed research. The instrument will be used for multi-channel (3 -4 in average) image acquisition of fixed samples (cells, tissue, crystalline surfaces) in 2 and 3 dimensions. The instrument must deliver high-resolution down to Abbe's limitation, but no super resolution. Emission technology must enable to fine tune the detection range of various emission spectra, even from within the same fluorescent dye changing behaviour under different conditions. A mixture of conventional photomultiplying tubes (PMT) and high sensitive detectors. Excitation in the visible spectrum at all major standard fluorescent excitation labels must be possible. Big physical field of view, in particular for imaging tissues and surfaces with less tiles and hence less stitching to apply. Further a high precision auto focus must be in place for best threedimenional (z-stack) imaging. All these requires a fully automated microscope stage.