A multiphoton confocal microscope for deep tissue imaging in live organisms

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We are a team of scientists at King's College London who wish to buy a specialist microscope that can image tiny structures in living organisms, such as blood vessel walls or nerve processes. This particular microscope is specially adapted to allow researchers to analyse events that occur deep within tissues, which are usually not accessible using normal research microscopes. It is also adapted to prevent any damage occurring from the imaging protocols we use, so we can visualise cell and tissue behaviour without affecting their function. We would use this microscope to conduct research in many different areas of biological science, including immunology, tissue organisation and neuroscience. We will be able to image individual cells within organs, analyse their interactions with other cells and compartments and determine how these cells respond to wounds or pathogens. Our results will help us understand more about how our bodies work, how we combat normal everyday infections and how our cells and tissues change during ageing. The microscope would be placed within a purpose-built facility that has highly trained, dedicated staff to look after it. They will train other people how to use it in future for their own research questions. This means that the instrument would not only benefit our team, but also other scientists at our university and beyond.