Confocal laser-scanning-microscope

• Subject Area: Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
• Term: Funded in 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 556468011

Microscopic detection and localization of molecules in fixed and vital biological samples with the help of fluorescence tags has become a standard approach in life sciences. Fluorescence microscopy affords high spatiotemporal resolution. Among the available detection methods, confocal laser scanning microscopy has become firmly established to localize the fluorescence labels in 3D and to monitor their distribution over time. Groups of the graduate school GRK2415 (ME3T) and the Medizinisch-Technischen Institute (MTI; Institutes of Anatomy and Pharmacology) at the Uniklinik RWTH Aachen have been using confocal laser scanning microscopy extensively for their research, which spans a wide range of topics from cell and developmental biology, mechanobiology, pharmacology, neuroscience to disease mechanisms using different model systems (primary cells, iPSCs, cell lines, organoids, mice, C. elegans). Major technological advancements have taken place since the instalment of the currently available and heavily used microscope. Moreover, technical support for this instrument is running out. The ongoing work will profit immensely from the technological improvements. Testing samples from our lab showed that they have led to a substantial increase in sensitivity and recording speed while reducing phototoxicity opening new possibilities for our research. The new microscope setup will be important for several third party-funded state-of-the-art studies. These projects require high resolution to track multiple labels at the subcellular level in 3D over time. Multiple lasers together with Airyscan technology fulfil our needs facilitating the necessary speed and spatiotemporal resolution. The microscope unit must be suited for live-cell imaging and photobleaching/photoactivation experiments. Setting up the microscope in the MTI building is crucial to allow transport and manipulation of genetically altered samples (S1/S2) on site. The microscope unit will be part of the UK Aachen-based platform on Advanced Light Microscopy Aachen (ALMA).

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Konfokales Laser-Scanning-Mikroskop
• Instrumentation Group: 5090 Spezialmikroskope
• Applicant Institution: Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen
• Leader: Professor Dr. Rudolf E. Leube