Confocal microscopy equipment and specifications

Below is a description of the major items of equipment available. We strongly encourage you to seek our advice in the early planning of your project.

To use our equipment you will need to register your project and undergo training.

Confocal microscopy registration

For advice contact:
Email confocal.microscopy@otago.ac.nz

Zeiss LSM+ 900 with Airyscan 2

The Zeiss LSM 900 is a compact confocal microscope for high resolution, live cell imaging.  The system offers 3 channel simultaneous imaging, enhanced resolution Airy scanning and spectral imaging. Post-acquisition processing with Airy scanning, Joint Deconvolution or LSM Plus allows users to achieve up to 90nm resolution without compromising their sample. Using the 900+ multiplex modes imaging speed can be increased to 18 fps (full frame) for dynamic live cell studies.

This microscope is equipped with an incubation chamber allowing users to environmentally control the conditions for long duration live cell imaging.  The Zeiss Zen software is very intuitive with the smart setup function making this an easy microscope to use.

Applications

• Super resolution imaging
• Full environmental controls
• Time-lapse imaging
• Multipoint time series
• Montaging/large images
• FRAP/FLIP
• FRET
• Spectral unmixing
• 3D imaging with jDCV

Specifications

Illumination

• Colibri 5 type RGB-UV 4-channel fluorescence light source

Detectors

• 2 spectral detector channels, GaAsP PMT with 8 bit and 16 bit dynamic range
• 1 Airyscan detector for 63x objective

Objectives

• 10x Air (0.45 NA)
• 20x Air (0.8 NA)
• 40x Water (1.2 NA)
• 63x Oil (1.4 NA)

Laser (solid state) Excitation Lines

• 405nm
• 488nm
• 561nm
• 640nm

Emission Filters

Variable secondary beam splitter (VSD) with short pass (SP)  and long pass (LP) filters

Maximum Frame Resolution

• 6144 x 6144 pixels
• 4096 x 4096 pixels with Airyscan

Software

Zen 3.7

Charges

Tier fees

Bookings

Zeiss LSM+ 900 with Airyscan 2 booking

Airyscan Information Link

https://www.zeiss.com/microscopy/en/products/light-microscopes/confocal-microscopes/lsm-900-with-airyscan-2.html

Andor Dragonfly – Spinning Disk Microscope

The Andor Dragonfly is a dual microlens spinning disk confocal microscope.  It captures images 10x faster than a conventional confocal microscope, with improved sensitivity. This three camera confocal microscope includes widefield, confocal, TIRF, laser ablation, 3D STORM and 2-colour simultaneous confocal imaging modalities.

The Dragonfly is ideal for live cell imaging providing low phototoxicity and photobleaching.  It has a large field of view which makes it perfect for imaging live cell or fixed samples. Borealis illumination provides stability, throughput, uniformity and extended wavelength range.

Applications

• Widefield or confocal imaging modes
• Simultaneous multi-colour TIRF
• SRRF-Stream
• dStorm
• Micropoint
• Time-lapse imaging
• Multipoint time series
• Montaging/large images
• 3D imaging
• Environmentals available

Specifications

Cameras

• iXon EMCCD, 1024x1024 pixels, 13µm pixel size
• 2 x Zyla 4.2 sCMOS, 2048x2048 pixels, 6.5µm pixel size

Objectives

• 10x Air (0.45 NA)
• 20x Air (0.75 NA)
• 40x Air (0.95 NA)
• 60x Water (1.2 NA)
• 60x Oil (1.49 NA) TIRF
• 100x Oil (1.45 NA)

Confocal Pinhole Diameter

• 25µm
• 40µm

Laser (solid state) Excitation Lines

• 405nm
• 488nm
• 561nm
• 640nm

Emission Filters

• 450±50nm
• 521±38nm
• 600±50nm or 620±60nm
• 700±75nm or 698±70nm
  (specialised filter set available for Zyla Camera)

Software

Fusion with real-time 3D rendering

Charges

Tier fees

Bookings

Andor Dragonfly – Spinning Disk Microscope booking

Opera Phenix High-Content Screening System

The Opera Phenix is a microlens-enhanced spinning disk confocal high content microscope.  Including both confocal and widefield fluorescence capabilities the Opera Phenix can automatically scan multi-well plates and slides under a range of magnifications from 4x to 63x in 3D and as a time series.

Complex and data rich images can be processed through a free browser driven app (Signal Image Artist) to measure thousands of parameters per image/well/plate using Ai trained segmentation routines for a high content analysis of entire experiments in a single operation.   The Opera Phenix is equipped with environmental controls for live cell experiments this includes: temperature control (37-42ºC ± 1ºC), CO₂ control and humidity control.

Applications

• Widefield or confocal imaging modes
• Digital phase contrast imaging
• Preciscan
• High-throughput high-content assays
• Environmentally controlled for live cell experiments
• Phenotypic screening
• Time-lapse imaging
• Multipoint time series
• Montaging/large images
• 3D imaging
• Ratiometric FRET

Specifications

Camera

sCMOS sensor up to 100fps, with 16 bit resolution.

Objectives

• 5x Air (0.16 NA)
• 10x Air (0.3 NA)
• 20x Air (0.4 NA)
• 63x Water immersion (1.15 NA)

Laser (solid state) Excitation Lines

• 405nm
• 488nm
• 561nm
• 640nm

Emission Bandpass Filters

• 435-480nm
• 500-550nm
• 570-630nm
• 650-760nm

Resolution

2160 x 2160 pixels, 6.5μm pixel size

Software

• Harmony 5.1 (With Phenologic)
• Signals Image Artist (online data analysis)

Charges

Tier fees

Bookings

Opera Phenix High-Content Screening System booking

Neoscan N80 Micro-Computed Tomograph (µCT) microscope

NEOSCAN N80 is a desktop, general purpose X-ray laboratory instrument for non-destructive 3-dimensional reconstruction of internal microstructure of the objects with spatial resolution in the micron range. Typical applications include, but are not limited to, a medium-large size plastic molded or 3D printed parts, light metals (Al, Ti) and small parts in more dense metals (steel, …), ceramics, carbon- and glass-fiber composites, biological materials (tissue samples, bones, implants, …), wood, electronics, glass, geological samples – plugs and drilled cores, pharmaceutical products and packaging, etc.

Applications

• 3D X-Ray imaging for a wide range of materials from dense metal to soft tissue
• 8 preinstalled and calibration filters to suit most material
• Ring Artefact free fat panel detector
• Quantitate bone density measurement (measured against  sets of BMD phantoms)
• Helical scanning
• Licence free acquisition and analysis software

Specifications

General

• Pixel size at maximum magnification - <1.2 μm
• True low-contrast 3D resolution - 2 μm or better
• Maximum scanning diameter  - 100 mm
• Maximum scanning length - 163 mm
• Maximum physical object length - 200 mm

X-Ray Source

• Maximum voltage - 110kV
• Maximum power - 16W
• Smallest spot size - 2 μm or smaller
• Automatic filter changer, number of positions – 20

X-Ray Detector

• Image sensor - 7 Mp Flat Panel
• Scintillator  - GADOX

Integrated options

Micro-positioning stage (travel) - Integrated (10 mm)

Software

• Neoscan N60
• Dragonfly

Charges

Tier fees

Bookings

Neoscan N80 booking

NeoScan N80 Links

https://neoscan.com/system/neoscan-n80/

Nikon A1+ Inverted Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope

The Nikon A1+ is a point scanning confocal on an inverted microscope base which can achieve both high-quality images for spatial information and high-speed images of fast-moving events. It is equipped with a galvano scanner enabling high resolution imaging of up to 4096 x 4096 pixels.  With the addition of high-sensitivity gallium arsenide phosphide (GaAsP) detectors the A1+ can achieve higher quantum efficiency resulting in brighter imaging with minimal noise.

This microscope has an automatic focus mechanism – Perfect Focus System (PFS) which continuously corrects focus drift during long time-lapse observation.  The A1+ is equipped with deconvolution in both 2D and 3D within NIS Elements Software.

Applications

• Confocal microscopy
• Differential interference contrast
• Time-lapse imaging
• Multipoint time series
• Montaging/large images
• Z-Series
• FRAP
• FRET

Specifications

Illumination for Fluorescence

pE300 light source

Objectives

• 10x Plan  (0.45NA)
• 20x Plan Apo (0.8 NA)
• 40x Plan Fluor oil immersion (1.3 NA)
• 60x Plan Apo oil immersion (1.42 NA)

Laser (solid state) Excitation Lines

• 405nm
• 488nm
• 561nm
• 640nm

Filter Sets

• Emission 450 ± 50nm
• Emission 525 ± 50nm
• Emission 595 ± 50nm
• Emission 700 ± 75nm

Detectors

• 2 PMT Detectors
• 2 GaASP Detectors

Resolution

4096 x 4096 pixels

Software

NIS Elements High Content Package (version 5.02) with deconvolution

Charges

Tier fees

Bookings

Nikon A1+ Inverted Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope booking

Bruker BioScope Resolve AFM

The Bruker Bioscope Resolve is an Atomic Force Microscope mounted on an inverted microscope platform. This enables correlation between both atomic force and optical (brightfield and fluorescence) imaging. The AFM can operate under traditional contact and tapping AFM modes together with Peak Force Tapping.

With an imaging resolution approaching 5nm (in height) the Bioscope resolve can operate in both air and liquid environments to capture both topographical and surface mechanical features of a range of materials. The Peak Force Tapping mode forms the core of ScanAsyst to automate parameter optimization to greatly improve ease of use, and PFQMN for quantitative measurement of mechanical properties of your samples , including living cells.

Applications

AFM

• Topographical AFM
• Fluid imaging AFM
• Live cell AFM
• Correlative AFM/Fluorescence
• Quantitative nanomechanical mapping
• Fast force volumes

Specifications

AFM mode

• Contact mode AFM
• Tapping Mode AFM
• PeakForce Tapping AFM
• Nanomechanical mapping (PFQNM)
• Fast force volume and single force curves
• MIRO (Microscope Image Registration and Overlay) AFM imaging

Optical

Illumination

• Diacopic illumination vis 535nm LED
• Fluorescence via CoolLED pE300

Detectors
Pco. Panda 26 sCMOS camera

Objectives
10x -60x depending on requirement (using single objective nosepiece)

Emission Filters

• Pos 1: Ex 350/80nm ; Em 420/40nm
• Pos 2: Ex 470/40nm ; Em 515/20nm
• Pos 3: Ex 557/55nm ; Em 615/50nm
• Pos 4: Brightfield

Software

• Nanscope V - AFM
• Micromanager (for optical only)

Charges

Tier fees

Bookings

Bruker BioScope Resolve AFM booking

BioScope Resolve Information Link

AFM

https://www.bruker.com/content/bruker/int/it/products-and-solutions/microscopes/bioafm/bioscope-resolve.html?q=%7B%7Bspellcheck%7D%7D

Probes

https://www.brukerafmprobes.com/c-15-probes.aspx

Nikon C2+ Confocal Microscope

The Nikon C2+ is basic confocal microscope however still capable of achieving diffraction limited resolution. Using the motorized Nikon Ti-E, high resolution multichannel 3D images can be automatically captured from a wide range of sample formats. The high-speed galvano scanners, operating at rates of up to 5 fps, enable even the fast-beating motion of cardiac muscles to be captured with precision. The system also provides simultaneous acquisition of three fluorescent channels plus DIC in a single scan.

Applications

• Confocal microscopy
• Differential interference contrast
• Time-lapse imaging
• Multipoint time series
• Montaging/large images
• Z-Series
• FRAP
• FRET

Specifications

Illumination

Epi-Fluorescence using CoolLED pE300

Detectors

Insert

Objectives

• 10x Plan Apochromat Lambda (NA 0.45, WD 4mm)
• 20x Plan Apochromat (NA 0.8, WD 0.8)
• 40x Plan Apochromat Lambda (NA 0.95, WD 0.21)
• 60x Plan Apochromat Lambda S (0.95, WD 0.21)

Laser (solid state) Excitation Lines

• 405nm
• 488nm
• 561nm

Emission Filters

• Dual DAPI/Cy5
• Combined 525/50, 595/40

Maximum Frame Resolution

• Max pixels: 2048x2048
• Max speed: 2 fps (512x512)

Software

NIS Elements

Charges

Tier fees

Bookings

Nikon C2+ Confocal Microscope booking

Nikon C2+ Confocal Information Link

https://www.microscope.healthcare.nikon.com/products/confocal-microscopes/c2

Nikon Ti2E Inverted Fluorescence Microscope

The Eclipse Ti2 is an inverted fluorescence microscope offering a 25mm field of view which maximises the sensor area of the large-format CMOS cameras, improving data throughput.

This fully motorised microscope can automatically capture multi-position, multi-channel images using both bright-field (transmitted and DIC) illumination) and multi-channel fluorescence imaging using a range of customised software interfaces. With the addition of both Z-drive and PFS autofocusing systems, to improve system stability, the Ti2-E is a flexible and fast fluorescence microscope for a broad range of applications.

Applications

• Brightfield microscopy
• Differential interference contrast
• Phase contrast
• Fluorescence microscopy
• Time-lapse tissue imaging
• Multipoint time series
• Montaging
• Z-series

Specifications

Illumination

pE300 light source

Objectives

• 10x Plan Apo (0.45NA)
• 20x Plan Apo (0.8 NA)
• 40x Plan Apo (0.95 NA)
• 60x Plan Apo water immersion (1.2 NA)

Filter Sets

• Excitation 395nm : Emission 435 ± 50nm
• Excitation 460-500nm : Emission 510 ± 50nm
• Excitation 527-553nm : Emission 577–633nm
• Excitation 620-650nm : Emission 700–770

Cameras

• Nikon Digital Sight DS-Qi2 CMOS sensor monochrome 7.3MP camera
• Nikon Digital Sight DS-Ri2 CMOS sensor colour 16MP camera

Software

NIS Elements AR (Advanced Research) featuring JOBS module

Charges

Tier fees

Bookings

Nikon Ti2E Inverted Fluorescence Microscope bookings

Confocal Unit Analysis PCs

There are no charges for the use of these PCs, but we do ask that you book them in advance.

Software available

• NIS Elements AR 5.21.03
• Arivis Vision 4D
• Zeiss Zen 3.8
• Harmony 5.1
• FIJI (imageJ)
• Dragonfly
• Neoscan60
• ilastik
• CTAn
• Nrecon
• Dataviewer
• Meshlab
• Slicer 5.0.3
• Volocity

Bookings

PC1 bookings

PC2 bookings