Light Microscopy

The Imaging and Microscopy laboratory headed by Stefanie Reichelt, in addition to exploring advanced experimental imaging techniques, provides the institute's core facility for imaging and microscopy.

The laboratory offers the following equipment and advice on its use to Institute researchers:

Confocal microscopy:

The facility has several standard confocal microscopes, which are the equipment of choice to produce best-quality fluorescence images, and also has advanced spectral confocal equipment including the new Nikon C1Si system with spectral detector and the Leica TCS SP5 laser scanning systems.

Wide-field imaging systems:

We have the Nikon Perfect Focus Control of the wide-field systems, which allows the most advanced form of focus control for stable, temperature-controlled time-lapse recording of live cancer cells.

These systems are available for studies of apoptosis and culture growth (> 24 hours). Specialist software (e.g. MetaMorph and Volocity) also allows researchers to extract comprehensible quantitative data and elucidate three-dimensional structures.

Multi-photon laser scanning imaging:

Multi-photon imaging is recently become widely used for the observation of mammalian embryos, thick biopsies or special physiological probes, and its extra penetration is of value for monitoring tumour lumps or patient biopsies. We are the first in the UK to explore a new pulsed IR-laser which ranges from 690-1080nm.

Fluorescence life-time (FLIM):

FLIM measurements can yield information on the molecular micro-environment of a fluorescent molecule, indicating ionic strength, hydrophobicity, oxygen concentration, macromolecular bonds or the proximity of other specific molecules.

Research Goals

Non-linear imaging

The group's research goal is the development of advanced non-linear imaging including multi-photon fluorescence imaging with fluorescence lifetime information (MP + FLIM) as well as second harmonic imaging (SHG) for tumour detection in live cells and biopsies.

Confocal 'Macroscope'

The project is a novel lens system with an unprecedented ratio of resolving power to magnification (designed by WB Amos). This allows for the first time confocal microscopy with large specimens and also also improves detection of bioluminescence or low-intensity fluorescence, e.g. from rare antigens.