Molecular and Cellular Analysis Services—Scientifica HyperScope Two-Photon Microscope

The Molecular & Cellular Analysis Core is designed to assist users with molecular and cellular analysis of tissues, and gene expression studies including, but not limited to, primer and mutant design, amplification and quantification of RNA or DNA products, cloning, and other molecular biology techniques. To achieve this, we are equipped with a comprehensive range of instruments. Scientifica HyperScope Two-Photon Microscope-based molecular and cellular analysis services can provide you with an unexpected experience.

Name of the Instrument/Platform

Scientifica HyperScope Two-Photon Microscope

Required Training

This platform includes an award winning Scientifica SciScan acquisition software, allowing users to integrate SciScan easily with custom-written applications, such as LabView and ScanImage. The ScanImage software interface (Vidrio Technologies) used by Scientifica was developed by HHMI Janelia Farm specifically for neuroscience applications, and is considered to be the most advanced software for two-photon laser scanning on the market.

Technical Capabilities

Key unique features of the Scientifica HyperScope include:
1. SliceScope upright microscope with motorized frame sitting on top of a Thorlabs breadboard with tapped holes on top of a TMC Cleantop Optical Table
2. Motorised positioning of objective and condenser in Z-axis, controlled by PatchPad
3. Motorized Movable Base Plate for use with riser block and in vitro applications
4. HyperScope Scan Path including up to three scanning mirrors
5. HyperScope X-Galvo module
6. HyerpScope Resonant X module (8 kHz resonant galvanometer)
7. Pockel Cell (680-1100 nm) with 500:1 extinction ratio
8. Workstation and data acquisition, which enables resonant imaging (with SciScan) and RG or RGG system for resonant and/or galvo imaging using ScanImage
9. Detectors: 1 red-shifted PMT module, and 1 multi-photon GaAsP PMT module
10. Objectives include: 16× (CFI75 LWD 16×W N.A.0.80, W.D. 3.0 mm), 20× (XLUMPLFLM 20×W, N.A. 1.0, WD 2.0 mm, water immersion), 40× (LUMPPLFLN 40×W, N.A. 0.8, W.D. 3.3 mm, water immersion)
11. The system is compatible with RMS, M25, M27 and M32 threaded objectives allowing users to easily interchange objectives
12. Filter sets: GFP (470/40×, 495LP, 525/50m), mCherry (560/40×, 585LP, 630/75m)
13. SciCam Pro CCD camera with 24 fps at full resolution (40 fps binned 2 × 2)
14. 15× eye-piece with FOV of 14.5mm and tiltable nose piece
15. Piezo Objective Z-drive allows fast acquisition of volumes up to 400 microns travel for large and small objectives
16. Laser: Mai-Tai eHP DS-244 Ti-sapphire oscillator (690 to 1040 nm, > 2.4W average power, ~80 MHz repetition rate, < 70 fs pulse width)

Summary

Two-photon microscopy has become an indispensable tool for cellular neuroscience, allowing high-resolution fluorescent imaging of cells in vitro and in vivo living brain and whole animals. The HyperScope system is a custom-build, two-photon microscope equipped with a Mai-Tai eHPDS broadly tunable Ti-sapphire laser (690-1040 nm), multiple objectives (16×, 20× and 40×), and stands on a Thorlabs breadboard and anti-vibration table. With the Scientifica SciCam Pro CCD camera, it is possible to perform functional imaging of video frame rates of 24 fps (full resolution) and 40 fps (binned 2 × 2). The detector assembly includes one red-shifted PMT and one GaAsP PMT modules, and epifluorescence imaging with filter sets for GFP (470/40× extinction, 525/50m emission) and mCherry (560/40× extinction, 630/75m emission). The scan mirrors in the imaging path can be arranged in multiple configurations depending on your needs. With up to 3 mirrors in series, you can choose between galvo/

If you are interested in our Scientifica HyperScope Two-Photon Microscope-based molecular and cellular analysis services, please contact us directly.

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

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