high-resolution confocal laser-microscope for live cell microscopy

• Subject Area: Medicine
• Term: Funded in 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 578471712

Confocal laser scanning microscopy has become a standard method for analyzing structure, function, and plasticity across diverse biomedical research areas, including neuroscience, virology, and pulmonology. Modern confocal laser-scanning microscopes (LSMs) equipped with multiple laser lines and fast scan optics enable detailed analyses of cell dynamics, cell–cell interactions, and morphology in both live and fixed specimens. By examining the heterogeneous cell populations within central nervous system (CNS), insights can be gained into how neurons and glial cells interact in neuroimmunological, neurodegenerative, neuroinfectious, and neurogenetic diseases. Building on this, such investigations can be extended to other organ systems. Moreover, functional microscopic techniques (e.g., calcium imaging) allow for the direct correlation of cellular structure and function within intact, living tissue. To conduct ongoing and planned research projects at Hannover Medical School (MHH), the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (TiHo), and the Center for Systems Neuroscience (CSN), there is therefore a substantial need for longitudinal, time-efficient, high-resolution microscopic observation of inflammatory, plastic, and activity-dependent processes in living tissue. This multiparametric approach enables the investigation of complex cellular interactions and their pathophysiological consequences within translational research frameworks.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Hochauflösendes Konfokales Lasermikroskop für Lebendzellmikroskopie
• Instrumentation Group: 5090 Spezialmikroskope
• Applicant Institution: Medizinische Hochschule Hannover
• Leader: Professor Dr. Maximilian Lenz