Inverted spinning disc confocal microscope for live-cell imaging

• Subject Area: Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 581449262

At the Institute of Cell Biology and the neighbouring Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry at the University of Tübingen we investigate a broad range of cell biological questions ranging from cell cycle regulation in budding yeast to autophagy induction in neurons to RNA-protein interactions in organoids. Common ground in these diverse areas of research is the need for high-resolution fluorescence imaging in live cells, for example to correlate the precise localization and morphology of mitochondria with cell cycle progression, or to watch the formation of phagophores under different drug treatments. In addition to live-cell experiments our institute also employs image-based screening approaches. Our currently available microscopes are strongly limited in speed, resolution, and capacity. A new inverted spinning disc confocal microscope would enable state-of-the-art high-resolution live-cell-imaging and screening approaches to support our current research endeavours and facilitate new discoveries.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Inverses Spinning-Disc konfokales Mikroskop für die Lebendzellmikroskopie
• Instrumentation Group: 5040 Spezielle Mikroskope (außer 500-503)
• Applicant Institution: Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
• Leader: Professorin Jennifer Christina Ewald, Ph.D.