Nikon A1R Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope

描述（由申请人提供）：这是一个长期的贝勒医学院（Baylor College of Medicine）显微镜核心的要求，是一个新的，全自动的，最先进的尼康A1激光扫描共聚焦显微镜，以取代老化的共聚焦系统。这些要求包括能够提供：㈠使用常规和光谱成像探测器，在覆盖近紫外、可见和近红外光谱范围的波长上进行高分辨率成像; ㈡自动聚焦和气体/温度受控的长时间延时成像;（iii）高速共聚焦成像，以跟踪X和Y方向的动态事件，并在连续时间点进行快速Z系列采集（iv）组合快速、准确和可重复的自动聚焦和XYZ定位控制，以允许在单个至96/384孔板格式的多个位置处的2D和3D成像，用于固定或活样本的高速、高分辨率成像;以及（v）足够的灵活性和可靠性（多个波长、常规和光谱、以及多个位置），用于由用户友好的软件控制的真正的多维共焦成像。Nikon A-1的长期内部演示已经证明了它能够满足这些要求以及NIH支持的研究人员的各种实验计划的要求。该系统将由集成显微镜核心（IMC）容纳和管理，IMC是唯一完全开放访问的成像设施，并将与当前的自动化显微镜资源协同并扩展，包括硬件/软件培训和分析开发支持。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This request from a long-standing Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) microscopy core is for a new, fully-automated, state-of-the-art Nikon A1 laser scanning confocal microscope to replace an aging confocal system. The requirements include being able to provide: (i) high resolution imaging at wavelengths covering the near UV, visible and near IR spectral range using both conventional and spectral imaging detectors; (ii) long-term time-lapse imaging with automatic focus and controlled gas/temperature; (iii) high-speed confocal imaging to track dynamic events in X and Y, and perform rapid Z-series acquisition at sequential time points (4D imaging); (iv) combining fast, accurate and repeatable autofocus and XYZ positioning control to allow 2D and 3D imaging at multiple locations in single to 96/384-well plate formats for high-speed, high- resolution imaging of fixed or live specimens; and, (v) enough flexibility and reliability (multiple wavelengths, conventional and spectral, and multiple locations) for true multidimensional confocal imaging controlled by user-friendly software. Long-term in-house demonstration of the Nikon A-1 has demonstrated its ability fulfill these requirements and those of the diverse experimental plans of a well-defined group of NIH-supported investigators. The system will be housed and managed by the Integrated Microscopy Core (IMC), the only fully-open-access imaging facility at BCM, and will synergize with and extend current automated microscopy resources, including hardware/software training and assay development support.