Zeiss 980 confocal microscope with 32-channel spectral detector, Airy Scan, and Chameleon Discovery IR laser for 2-photon excitation

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We request funds to purchase a Zeiss 980 confocal microscope equipped with a 32-channel linear array GaAsP photomultiplier spectral detector, Airyscan detector for high-resolution confocal imaging, visible laser launch, and Coherent Discovery (670-1330 nm) pulsed coherent light source for 2-photon excitation. The system will be equipped with an environmental chamber supporting live-cell experiments. The instrument will be programable to execute complex experimental sequences, capable of remote operations, collaborations, and multimodal image integration and will become a central piece of cross-technology workflows. The inherent ability of this instrument to generate large-format data will be addressed by two dedicated computers, synchronously managing the acquisition and processing of the data. The selected instrument will sustain and expand our current biomedical microimaging program following service termination of our workhorse spectral confocal – Zeiss 710. The system will serve a multitude of experiments, including live-cell imaging, photomanipulation, high-resolution large-area registrations, and large-volume registrations. The spectral capabilities of our Zeiss 710 have supported our research base to establish a robust biomedical microimaging program by eliminating uncertainties with fluorescence quality assurance, enabling imaging of cleared tissues and organisms presenting autofluorescence and tissues fixed with glutaraldehyde for correlative light-to-electron microscopy imaging. The proposed Zeiss 980 will empower us to continue in this direction while expanding our experimental portfolio offering also sub-diffraction microimaging - the standards of the next decade. Zeiss 980 will open doors for a more robust subcellular imaging, enhancing experiments focused on living and fixed cells and organisms, allowing discrete photomanipulation with visible and 2-photon excitation, functional imaging of NADH, label-free imaging of lipids, and second harmonic generation. The Airyscan will establish our portfolio in sub-diffraction resolution imaging of complex tissues, organs, and embryos, including optically cleared tissues and organs. This system will be exclusively available to the NIH-funded research community, with the major/minor users having access immediately after installation, but with the expectation to grow a user base, including newly NIH-funded investigators. This growth will follow a democratic principle involving the advisory committee. The well- established GW Nanofabrication and Imaging Center (GWNIC), which is the major technology resource for biomedical micro-and nanoimaging in the university, is supported by the GW’ Office of the Vice Provost for Research. GWNIC will provide administrative support, training of new users and will develop innovative approaches. Zeiss 980 will be a central component of cross-technology workflows such as correlative light- electron microscopy and will support our annual workshop. The instrument will be installed in GWNIC’s space within the School of Medicine and Health Sciences with the aim to effectively address the sample logistics and compliance by the biomedical segment of our research base.