Inverted Research Microscope for Live-Cell Imaging

This microscope will serve as the workhorse system for performing live-cell imaging over a range of magnifications, in all cases with emphasis on achieving superior visualization of specimens using diverse light microscopy methods and contrast techniques including brightfield, phase contrast, polarisation, differential interference contrast and wide-field fluorescence.

Low-magnification will be used to track, identify and maintain populations of cells or larger moving specimens in the field of view for as long as possible, while high magnifications will be used to focus upon and resolve intracellular features, structures, and activity - with particular emphasis on the fast beating motion of cilia and flagella. It is anticipated that high-speed imaging will be necessary to document and analyse such activity.

Key research aims include developing and optimising the microscopy set-up to achieve high quality, high resolution images, optimising the optics for high speed bright field and fluorescence imaging, maximising the ability to control and perturb samples while imaging (e.g. by immobilizing cells or organisms on micropipettes or through the use of microfluidics), making long-duration recordings of single-organism as well as population-level behaviour, establishing new fluorescence imaging techniques for specialist dyes or reporters (calcium, pH, voltage etc) for use in species of interest.

Due to the complexity and range of experiments to be performed with the system, the desired microscope should be as versatile and as reconfigurable as possible, leaving open the possibility for future expansion. In addition to the light microscopy capabilities mentioned above, the system must be capable of wide-field fluorescence imaging. A fully motorised system with intelligently linked optical components is required to enable rapid switching between illumination methods, which is essential for imaging or highlighting different organelles or components within the same cell.