confocal laser scanning microscope

• Subject Area: Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
• Term: Funded in 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 502195778

This proposal, submitted within the frame of the “Programme Major Research Instrumentation as per Art. 91GG”, is dedicated to the application of a new inverse confocal laser-scanning microscope (CLSM) for research purposes. The acquisition is intended for the Imaging facility of a bio-medical research institute. The new state-of-the-art CLSM will replace a 12-year-old and partially obsolete instrument that is not maintained anymore by the manufacturer service performances.Imaging of cell behaviour and depicting dynamic cellular protein activities presents one key methodology frequently applied in the field of high-performing bio-medical research. Over the last years, tremendous progress has been made with respect to the spectrum of experimental implementations and the refinement of the plethora of applications for modern confocal laser-scanning microscopy. This is particularly well reflected by the technical CLSM platforms that are continuously advancing, including higher resolutions, improved scanning speed as well as the increase in the number of laser lines operating simultaneously and allowing a more precise analysis of multiple marker molecules within the cells and tissue samples.Acquiring a new CLSM aims to meet all the technical demands and specific applications required by a diverse assembly of working groups within the research building since purchasing such an expensive and large research instrument is not feasible, particularly for junior research groups or smaller research teams. To detect and image a diverse panel of fluorescent proteins as well as several fluorophore-tagged antibodies simultaneously and to precisely localise these signals within the cells and tissues, we apply for a CLSM with a minimum of 5 laser lines in the UV-VIS and NIR spectra, highly sensitive and fast detectors. In addition, we propose an incubator allowing experiments analysing live cells and tissue cultures. Finally and according to our user-specific requirements we include equipment and technology for TauSense-based analysis of fluorescence lifetimes and generation of XY mosaic-recordings of Z-stacks, basically configurations belonging these days to a repertoire of a modern and state-of-the-art confocal microscope.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Konfokales Laser-Scanning Mikroskop
• Instrumentation Group: 5090 Spezialmikroskope
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Leader: Privatdozentin Dr. Catherin Niemann