Confocal fluorescence microscope

• Subject Area: Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
• Term: Funded in 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 556902459

Confocal fluorescence imaging has become a standard technology within cell biology. In this context, a confocal fluorescence microscope is requested for imaging a variety of biological cells and tissue types. The confocal microscope will be utilized for (i) phenotypic characterization of organoid cultures derived from human stem cells, primary patients, or model animals; (ii) development of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven image processing tools to achieve rapid image acquisition for screening applications with engineered three-dimensional tissues; (iii) super-resolution imaging of cellular membrane proteins such as G-protein-coupled receptors; (iv) long-term imaging of cell cultures in patterned and hydrogels made from artificial and naturally engineered biomaterials; and (v) cell cultures integrated onto organ-on-chip platforms, among other applications. Confocal microscopes are already available through the Bioimaging Core Facility at Leipzig University (UL). However, the existing confocal microscopes in the core facility need replacement due to high maintenance costs over the last few years and lack of support from the manufacturers due to their age. For emerging biological research fields aligned with Leipzig University's research profile and the establishment of standard operational procedures for biological imaging, several key parameters are not met or are outdated with the current instrumentation. This includes, for example, non-state-of-the-art imaging capabilities in terms of resolution, sensitivity, channel multiplexing, automation capabilities, AI-driven acquisition mode for larger phenotypic screening research, or outdated acquisition software. The acquisition aims to enable a recently established and promoted research group in vitro disease modeling with Organ-on-Chip technologies (Meier Group) and synthetic protein biochemistry to explore G-protein-coupled receptor functions (Coin Group), respectively. Upon integrating the requested confocal fluorescence microscope into the Bioimaging Core Facility at UL, it will complement and update the existing microscopes. The new confocal microscope we plan to purchase will enable advanced imaging operations such as super-resolution imaging, automated long-term imaging of 3D cell cultures with low phototoxicity, and spectral imaging. Thanks to the more straightforward handling of the new machine, it will be seamlessly integrated into standard operations, offering reduced operational time for personnel and shorter training hours for a wide variety of users with different research applications and backgrounds. In summary, acquiring the requested confocal fluorescence microscope is expected to sustainably enhance the research capabilities of a broad user group at UL.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Konfokales Fluoreszenzmikroskop
• Instrumentation Group: 5090 Spezialmikroskope
• Applicant Institution: Universität Leipzig
• Leader: Professor Dr. Matthias Meier