Microscopy Techniques

For most applications, i.e., simple fluorescence imaging of fixed cells or tissues, most investigators will want to use the Olympus FV1000 or one of the Leica SP8 systems. These are user-friendly systems that support collection of multi-color, three-dimensional fluorescence images.​

While any system can be used to image living cells, the Nikon Live Cell Imaging system supports the highest speed and lowest photodamage. The system is equipped with an epifluorescence path for the highest sensitivity and a spinning disk confocal path for high-speed, 3D imaging.

Multiphoton microscopy is the technique of choice for imaging tissues in living animals. The three multiphoton systems and the fully-equipped surgical suite of the ICBM have been used for intravital microscopy of the kidney, liver, pancreas, bone marrow, lymph nodes, skin, mesentery and lung.     ​

A variety of biological properties can be assayed by measuring effects on the fluorescence lifetime of a biomolecule or probe. Studies utilizing FLIM, or the closely-related technique FCS, can be conducted using the ISS Alba system, or for studies in living animals, using the Leica SP8 DIVE system.