TIRF-confocal live-cell microscope

• Subject Area: Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
• Term: Funded in 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 547822944

This proposal is aimed at acquiring a microscope system capable of single-molecule measurements as well as acquiring the 3D cell architecture of live cells. The system consists of a total-internal-fluorescence (TIRF) module and a confocal imaging setup. This TIRF-confocal live cell microscope will be used, in short, to acquire data of immune cells migrating and activating on various substrates. This setup will allow us to close the gap between single-molecule events and the complete 3D restructuring of immune cells. This is highly relevant in understanding the mechanism of immune cell activation. Here, single receptors on the surface of immune cells initiate a signaling cascade leading to a complete restructuring of the cell´s interior. To acquire these steps, the confocal and TIRF module will work alternating to acquire sequentially single-molecule and whole cell events. The system is equipped with a incubation chamber to enable live-cell measurements at 37°C and 5% CO2 and allow humidity regulation.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: TIRF-Konfokal Lebendzellmikroskop
• Instrumentation Group: 5090 Spezialmikroskope
• Applicant Institution: Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg
• Leader: Professorin Dr. Anna Lippert