Light Microscopy : Equipment

Images produced by the light microscopy team at The Crick.

Introduction

We have sixteen imaging systems for advanced microscopy methods including confocal (point scanning and spinning disk), multi-photon, FLIM, light-sheet, TIRF, and quantitative phase contrast .

We also have systems for wide-field long-term time-lapse, immuno-fluorescence (basic and slide-scanning), and bright-field H&E.

Cost update: 05 June 2020

Core Facilities Publication Policy

Core Facilities Publication Policy

We require users using microscopes managed by Light Microscopy STP to accept the following publication policy (elaborated by the Royal Microscopical Society together with the RMS community):

  1. All publications resulting from the use of instruments within the facility should, at the very least, acknowledge the Light Microscopy STP as a whole, e.g. ‘the authors gratefully acknowledge the Light Microscopy STP for their support & assistance in this work’ .
  2. Where users have had significant help from a particular member of Light Microscopy STP staff, or Light Microscopy STP staff have generated additional data personally, this staff member should be acknowledged by name, alongside the centre if applicable, e.g. ‘the authors thank *** of Light Microscopy STP for their support & assistance in this work’ .
  3. If scientists from Light Microscopy STP contributed more than just routine techniques, they should be co-authors of papers that use data.

          a) Development or adaptation of protocols to suit samples or materials, (re)designing experiments, extensive data analysis and interpretation are not routine and constitute contributions meriting co-authorship.

          b) Simple acquisitions of raw data or routine sample preparations alone normally would not merit co-authorship but should still be acknowledged.

For any clarification, please write to calm@crick.ac.uk .

Multiphoton & Intravital

Leica MP SP5 Upright

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Leica MultiPhoton SP5 upright is equipped with visible laser lines and a Mai Tai DeepSee NIR tunable laser that allows two-photon excitation, Second Harmonic Generation and laser ablation.

It mounts 2 PMT and 3 HyD detectors for single photon excitation and 2 Non-Descanned Detectors for multiphoton-excited weak fluorescence signal. It is equipped with environmental chamber for live cell imaging experiments.

Book Leica MP SP5 Upright.

Cost: £ 18.83/h

Zeiss MP LSM780 Invert

Zeiss_MP_LSM780_Upright_theCrick

Zeiss MultiPhoton 780 inverted is equipped with visible laser lines and Coherent Chameleon NIR tunable laser that allows two-photon excitation, Second Harmonic Generation and laser ablation. It is equipped with an environmental chamber for live cell imaging experiments.

Book Zeiss MP LSM780 Invert.

Cost: £ 18.83/h

Zeiss LSM880 NLO+OPO

Zeiss_LSM880_NLO_CALM_theCrick
Zeiss LSM880 NLO in an inverted microscope equipped with visible laser lines, Coherent Chameleon NIR tunable laser that allows two-photon excitation, Second Harmonic Generation and laser ablation.

Additionally it has an OPO and delay line to combine the two NIR wavelengths and obtain "virtual photon" excitation. 

Tokai hit top stage chamber for live cell imaging experiments.

Book Zeiss LSM880 NLO Invert.

Cost: £ 18.83/h

Olympus FV-MPE RS

Olympus_MP_FV MPE RS_Upright_theCrick

A stand alone upright multiphoton system primarily for in-vivo imaging. Insight X3 pulsed laser provides at least 1 Watt between 680nm and 1300nm. A dedicated line at 1045nm has more than 3.5 watts power at the laser head. Automatic alignment between lines gives accurate multi-channel imaging. "TruResolution" motorized objective automatically compensates for spherical aberration at depth. Hybrid scanner unit allows conventional speeds with the galvo mirrors or high speed (8KHz (full frame)). Prior z-deck gives large, flexible space for experimental setup whether that is for whole animal or explant culture. Four non-descanned detectors (2GaAsP, 2 PMT).

Book Olympus FV-MPE RS Upright

Cost: £ 22.57/h

Zeiss MP LSM710

Zeiss_LSM710_NLO_up_CALM_theCrick

Credit: www.zeiss.com

Zeiss LSM710 NLO Upright is equipped with visible laser lines and Mai Tai Spectra Physics NIR tunable laser that allows two-photon excitation, Second Harmonic Generation and laser ablation. It has an optional environmental chamber for live cell imaging experiments, but is used mainly for intravital imaging.

4 NDD detectors for higher signal detection.

It is located in the In Vivo Imaging unit. To receive training and access to the unit please contact:

brf-imaging@crick.ac.uk

calm@crick.ac.uk

Cost: £ 22.57/h

Super-resolution

Olympus FV3000 HSD Inverted

Olympus_HSD_FV3000_Inverted_theCrick

Inverted confocal microscope with 7 laser lines and 4 high sensitivity GaAsP detectors. The resonant scanner is available for fast imaging. It also has an environmental chamber and CO2 supply for use with live cells and tissues. Very flexible software control and particularly good at ‘macro to micro’ imaging.

Book Olympus FV3000 HSD Inverted.

Cost: £ 18.83/h

Zeiss Airyscan LSM880 Inverted

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Zeiss 880 inverted with Airyscan has two detection modes, the conventional confocal and the Airyscan detection and processing, giving an improvement in optical resolution and signal-to-noise ratio. It is equipped with an environmental chamber for live cell imaging experiments.

Book Zeiss Airyscan LSM880 Inverted.

Cost: £ 18.83/h

Zeiss Airyscan LSM880 Inverted (2019)

Zeiss_880_AiryScan_2019_CALM_theCrick

Zeiss 880 inverted with Airyscan has two detection modes, the conventional confocal and the Airyscan detection and processing, giving an improvement in optical resolution and signal-to-noise ratio. It is equipped with an environmental chamber for live cell imaging experiments.

Book Zeiss Airyscan LSM880 Inverted.

Cost: £ 18.83/h

Vutara 352 Super-Resolution

Bruker_SR_Vutara352_CALM_theCrick

The Vutara 352 super-resolution microscope is designed for single molecule localization applications (PALM, STORM, etc.); currently our set-up is for fixed samples only. The Vutara’s proprietary ResEnhanced and Biplane technology provides advanced 3D imaging at the nanoscale, resolving down to 20 nm in XY and 50 nm in Z. Imaging depths of over 30 µm (3D stacking up to 100 µm in cleared tissue), this high-speed detection system and QLM suite (Quantitative Localization Microscopy suite) allows voxels to be transformed into detailed localization information.

Please email deborah.aubyn@crick.ac.uk for more information and a chat about applying this technology for resolving detail < 100 nanometres.

Cost: £ 26.32/h

Book: Vutara 352

Light-sheet

Luxendo-Bruker MuVi-SPIM

Luxendo_MuViSPIM_CALM_theCrick

This advanced light-sheet microscope is equipped with dual opposite illumination and detection system, environmental control, digital scanned light-sheet and photomanipulation. It is ideal for fast and long-term multi-view imaging of small (< 1mm) live or fixed samples such as zebrafish/Drosophila embryos, organoids, blastocysts.

Book Luxendo-Bruker MuVi-SPIM.

Cost: £ 36.39/h

LaVision BioTec UltraMicroscopeII

LaVision_LS_UltraII_CALM_theCrick

The Ultramicroscope has been designed to address cellular questions in large (1-10 mm) cleared fixed samples. Protected detection objective, 6 light-sheets, low scattering lasers set and a wide range zoom (0.63-6.3x) allow fast and deep tissue imaging in aqueous or solvent-based solutions. It is ideal for studies of organ vasculature, sparse subset of labelled cells or tracing neurons.

Book LaVision BioTec UltraMicroscope II.

Cost: £ 36.39/h

Fluorescence Lifetime IMaging (FLIM)

Leica SP8 FALCON Inverted

Leica_SP8_FALCON_CALM_theCrick

Leica SP8 FALCON is an inverted microscope equipped with White Light Laser (470-670 nm), 440 nm pulsed laser and 405 nm, 442 nm  CW lines. It mounts 1 PMT and 3 HyD detectors (2 of which able to do Fluorescence Lifetime IMaging). It is equipped with an environmental chamber for live cell imaging experiments.

Book Leica FALCON SP8

Cost: £ 18.83/h

Lambert TOGGEL - FLIM camera

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Lambert TOGGEL camera coupled to an inverted spinning disk (CSU-W1) confocal microscope. The system is controlled via uManager and is used for Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM)

Cost: NA

Selective and Structured Illumination

Olympus TIRF IX83

Olympus_IX83_TIRF_CALM_theCrick

Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence microscope equipped with Olympus TIRF combiner for independent angle adjustment of four laser lines. Sensitive EMCCD camera and high NA (150X/1.45) objective gives an ideal sampling for sensitivity and resolution. The solution for experiments requiring visualisation of multiple fluorophores close to the coverslip. It has stage top environmental control for live cell work.

Book Olympus TIRF IX83

Cost: £ 13.03/h

VisiTech iSIM

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Courtesy: Steven Coleman (VisiTech)

VisiTech iSIM

Spatial Resolution: 120 nm laterally and 300 nm Axially

Temporal resolution: Scan Speed up to 1000 fps @ full frame

With Scientific CMOS camera achievable capture rates: 200 fps @ 1024x1024, 400 fps @1024x512, 800 fps @1024x256

Pin holes: Selectable from 10-64 um

Z-Axis Travel Range (+/- 5%) 300 μm

 

Coming soon!!

Spoiler: http://www.visitech.co.uk/index.html

 

Cost: NA

Zeiss Apotome.2

Zeiss_Apotome.2_CALM_theCrick

The Apotome uses structured illumination on a regular widefield microscope to producehigh contrast optical sections. For fluorescence, a grid is projected onto the sample by theApotome2 unit. Three images are acquired with the grid in slightly different positions andthen this collection is processed in Zen to produce a single optical section with improvedcontrast and resolution. The Microscope is fitted with motorised X, Y and Z axes making iteasy to produce high quality tiled stacks even from thick samples

Book: Zeiss Apotome.2

Cost: £ 8.71/h

Confocal

Leica TCS SP5 Inverted

Leica_SP5_CALM_theCrick

Leica SP5 inverted is equipped with visible laser lines and mounts 2 PMT and 2 HyD detectors. It is equipped with an environmental chamber for live cell imaging experiments.

Book Leica SP5 Inverted

Cost: NA

Zeiss LSM710 Inverted

Zeiss_LSM710_Inverted_res_CALM_theCrick

Zeiss LSM710 inverted confocal is equipped with an environmental chamber for live cell imaging experiments.

Book Zeiss LSM710 Invert

Cost: £ 18.83/h

Zeiss LSM710 Upright

Zeiss_LSM710_Upright_CALM_theCrick

Zeiss 710 upright confocal is used for the acquisition of fixed sample mounted on a slide.

Book Zeiss LSM710 Upright

Cost: £ 18.83/h

Nikon CSU-W1 Spinning Disk

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This twin camera spinning disk confocal is ideal for fast sensitive imaging of live samples.The CSU-W1 spinning disk head is equipped with a choice of pinholes and is equally at home with low and high numerical aperture objectives. It has a motorized stage and environmental control making it ideal for multi position time lapse experiments that require 3D stack acquisition. In addition it has a galvo scanner for photo manipulation of samples during imaging protocols.

Book Nikon CSU-W1 Spinning Disk

Cost: £ 18.83/h

Leica SP8 Inv. with WLL - 3NW

Leica_SP8_3NW_CALM_theCrick

Leica SP8 Inverted - 3rd floor North West.

Illumination: White Light Laser, 405 nm, Argon.

Is equipped with incubator for live cell imaging.

Book: Leica SP8 Inverted 3NW

Cost: £ 18.83/h

Leica SP8 Inverted - 5SW

Leica_SP8_Inverted_CALM_theCrick

Leica SP8 Inverted - 5th floor South West.

Illumination: 405 nm, Argon, 561 nm, 633 nm.

Is equipped with incubator for live cell imaging.

Book Leica SP8 Invert 5SW

Cost: NA

 

Nikon A1R Upright

Nikon_A1R_Upright_CALM_theCrick

Nikon A1R Upright confocal has both a resonant scanner for high speed functional imaging and a galvo scanner for structural imaging. It can be operated with a 4 channel bandpass PMT/GaAsP detectors or a full spectral detector. It is equipped with an incubator for live cell imaging

Book Nikon A1R Upright

Cost: NA

Wide-field

CALM Long-Term Time-Lapse 1

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Long-term time-lapse (LTTL) wide-field systems Nikon LTT1, LTTL2 an LTTL3 configuration: 

'Perfect Focus' option, precision ASI and motorised stage, environmental regulation (temperature and CO2), LED light sources.

DAPI, GFP, TRITC, mCherry, CFP YFP, and CFP FRET, over a range of magnifications and resolutions (from 2X/0.1NA - 100X/1.49 NA).

See more about CALM LTTL microscopes.

Book: Nikon LTTL1

Cost: £ 13.03/h

CALM Long-Term Time-Lapse 2

Nikon_LTTL2_CALM_theCrick

Long-term time-lapse (LTTL) wide-field systems Nikon LTT1, LTTL2 an LTTL3 configuration: 

'Perfect Focus' option, precision ASI and motorised stage, environmental regulation (temperature and CO2), LED light sources.

DAPI, GFP, TRITC, mCherry, CFP YFP, and CFP FRET, over a range of magnifications and resolutions (from 2X/0.1NA - 100X/1.49 NA).

See more about CALM LTTL microscopes.

Book: Nikon LTTL2

Cost: £ 13.03/h

CALM Long-Term Time-Lapse 3

LTTL3_CALM_theCrick

Long-term time-lapse (LTTL) wide-field systems Nikon LTT1, LTTL2 an LTTL3 configuration: 

'Perfect Focus' option, precision ASI and motorised stage, environmental regulation (temperature and CO2), LED light sources.

DAPI, GFP, TRITC, mCherry, CFP YFP, and CFP FRET, over a range of magnifications and resolutions (from 2X/0.1NA - 100X/1.49 NA).

See more about CALM LTTL microscopes.

Book: Nikon LTTL3

Cost: £ 13.03/h

 

Phasefocus Livecyte

Phasefocus_Livecyte_WideField_CALM_theCrick

The Livecyte uses a Quantitative Phase Imaging (QPI) technique called ptychography to get label-free imaging:

- motorised stage, temperature and CO2 regulation; 10x, 20x or 40x magnification for large fields of view (up to 2mm2),

- additional 3 epifluorescence channels, blue (EX 350-405 nm, EM 412-480 mm), green (EX 470-490 nm, EM 510-540 nm) and red (EX 537-580 nm, EM 600-650 nm).

See more about Phasefocus Livecyte.

Cost: £ 13.03/h

Olympus VS120 Slide Scanner

Olympus_VS120_slideScanner_CALM_theCrick

For automated colour brightfield and fluorescence microscopy. This system will identify and tile image variously stained histological and immunohistochemical slides automatically.

With bulk loader (up to 100 slides) this system can be set up and left to get on with imaging your samples. Colour camera for H & E or similar, sensitive monochrome camera for, up to, four channel fluorescence imaging.

Cost: £ 14.32/h

Olympus IX83 Inverted

Olympus_IX83_Inverted_CALM_theCrick

IX83 wide-field mounts a set of 7 ch selective band-pass filters coupled with LED illuminator. It is equipped with an environmental chamber for live cell imaging.

Cost: £ 13.03/h

Olympus BX61 Upright

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BX61 upright wide-field can be used for the acquisition of fixed sample mounted on a slide. It is equipped with FIDH-specific selective bandpass filters and EMCCD, controlled by "Micro-Manager" open hardware acquisition software. 

Cost: NA

Zeiss Manual AxioImager.M1

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AxioImager.M1 upright wide-field can be used for the acquisition of fixed sample mounted on a slide. It is equipped with selective bandpass filters and "Micro-Manager" open hardware acquisition software. 

Cost: £ 10.92/h

Zeiss Motorized AxioImager.M1

Zeiss_AxioImager.Z1_MotorizedStage_Upright_CALM_theCrick

AxioImager.M1 upright wide-field has motorised stage and can be used for intelligent acquisition of fixed sample mounted on a slide. It is equipped with selective bandpass filters and "Micro-Manager" open hardware acquisition software.

Cost: £ 10.92/h

Zeiss Observer.Z1 Inv.

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Cost: £ 10.92/h

HREM Microscopy platforms

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High-Resolution Episcopic Microscopy (HREM) is a technique for visualising tissue samples, such as mouse embryos, as a large stack of successive 2D images. The resolution of the images approaches that of conventional histology and, since they are perfectly aligned, they can be used to construct very detailed 3D models.

Extensive details about the technique:

https://dmdd.org.uk/hrem/

Stereomicroscopes

Zeiss Stemi SV11

Zeiss_StemiSV11_CALM_theCrick

Zeiss Stemi SV11 is a stereomicroscope equipped with a colour camera for the observation of large tissues and organism in bright-field.

Cost: £ 18.58/h

Book: Zeiss Stemi SV11

Latest update

Latest update: RD'A 07/09/2020