Microscope Imaging Service—TCS SP8-STED Super-Resolution Microscope

Confocal microscopy is an optical imaging technique that uses point-by-point illumination and spatial pinhole modulation to remove scattered light from the non-focal plane of the sample, allowing for improved optical resolution and visual contrast compared to traditional imaging methods. CD BioSciences, the imaging experts, can provide you with TCS SP8-STED Super-Resolution Microscope-based confocal microscopy imaging services.

Name of the Instrument/Platform

TCS SP8-STED Super-Resolution Microscope

Introduction

Technical details
1. Microscope stand: DMi 8, inverted configuration
2. Scanning head: SP8with Acousto-Optical Beam Splitter (AOBS) and resonant scanner (8 kHz)
3. Stage: motorized, inserts for slides, Petri dishes and microtiter plates
4. Hardware auto-focus control (AFC)
5. Detectors: 2 HyDs, 2 PMTs + TLD, ¹HyD SMD for FLIM
6. Lasers: 405 nm (cw 50 mW)
7. WLL2 (super continuum): tunable between 470 nm - 670 nm (step: 1 nm);
8. STED Laser: 592 nm
Objectives (default set):
1. HC PL APO CS 10×/0.40 Dry, (15506285)
2. HC PL APO CS2 20×/0.70 ImmCorr, (15506343)
3. HC PL APO CS2 20×/0.75 Dry, (15506517)
4. HC PL APO CS2 40×/1.3 Oil, (15506358)
5. HC PL APO CS2 63×/1.2 Water, CCorr. (15506346)
6. HC PL APO CS2 STED WHITE 100×/1.4 Oil, (15506378)
7. Visual observation of the fluorescent signal is possible by illuminating the samples with a metal halide lamp, however, the stand holds no camera for non-confocal image acquisition.
LAS X Software Modules:
1. Dye Finder
2. FLIM
3

Summary

The Leica TCS SP8-STED is a laser (point) scanning confocal microscope that enables imaging of transparent, medium thick samples via optical sectioning. Specimens/objects of interest should be fluorescently labelled for image acquisition.
This microscopes is equipped with two special modules. The STED (Stimulated Emission Depletion) modules offers spatial super-resolution fluorescence imaging by using a second, high power depletion laser at 592 nm that illuminates the sample in a doughnut shape volume. For conventional light microscopes, the spatial resolution is diffraction limited. Depending on the numerical aperture of the objective (NA) in use and on the wavelength (l) of the light, the resolving power of a light microscope is defined by Abbe's law: d = 0.5 λ/NA, and cannot be better than ~220 nm.
STED, as a super-resolution technique provides resolution down to ~50 nm.
Labelling protocols should be adapted to the existing laser lines that can excite the reporter dye molecules or

CD BioSciences' TCS SP8-STED Super-Resolution Microscope-based confocal microscopy service is an ideal partner for cutting-edge biomedical research, providing precise 3D imaging, as well as accurate imaging of cell structure and dynamic processes, all in one package. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us.

For research use only, not intended for any clinical use.

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