High Resolution Confocal Scanning Microscope for Live Cell Studies

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Currently in our facility we are operating a DFG-funded confocal laser scanning microscopy enabling live-cell microscopy and photomanipulation (photoactivation, photoconversion, photobleaching, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, microirradiation). This system was acquired in 2010 and has reached its end-of-life. In the last 12 years, this system became essential in our facility, and consequently we urgently need a replacement. In addition to the technologies possible in the previous system, we aim to expand its abilities into optical super-resolution microscopy. The latter has been used for several years but is only feasible with outside collaborations. The planned acquisition of a super-resolution confocal point-scanning microscope is expected to realize a technological leap at the TU Darmstadt through super-resolution enhancement, representing the current state of the art in optical microscopy. This technology can be integrated directly into existing research activities, as well as being used as a future-oriented technology in existing and planned research projects. Super-resolution optical microscopy will enable a significant improvement in lateral and axial spatial resolution, which is a must in current structure-function studies. By combination with a confocal point scanner, the ability to generate overview images and perform photomanipulation is preserved, which will continue to fulfill the needs of our broad user base. Importantly, the system must be compatible with currently used fluorophores and allow spectral detection, to serve our core facility broad user requirements.