Our microscope facility supports internal and external collaborators and offers several microscope systems:
three Leica Thunder microscopes (upright, inverted, organism imager)
a Leica SP5IIMP Two photon microscope
a Leica SP8 3X confocal/STED microscope.
In collaboration with various IPEK groups, the facility develops and applies imaging applications for studying various processes and structures of the (diseased) cardiovascular system.We are continually expanding the optical imaging facility with the latest microscope technology.
We apply advanced optical fluorescence microscopic and nanoscopic techniques such as the novel instant computational clearing microscopy (Thunder), confocal(CLSM) and two-photon laser scanning microscopy (TPLSM), Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) for (molecular) imaging of atherosclerotic structures and processes in cardiovascular samples.
Algorithm supported Thunder imaging vastly improves the image quality of the traditional immunofluorescence microscopy and allows for fast generation of overview images as well as 3D detailed imaging in various samples.
CLSM facilitates true 3D microscopic imaging of thin samples or isolated/cultured cells at sub micrometer resolution and great specificity, whereas STED offers improved nanometer resolution thereby strongly improving our possibilities of studying intracellular, micro- and nanoscopic processes and structures.
TPLSM is perfectly suited for studying of biological structures and processes directly at sites of occurrence: i.e. imaging of structures deep in intact tissues such as the large arteries, myocard, or bone marrow in up to four dimensions.
For in vivo imaging of atherosclerosis, the impact of arterial movement on imaging can be avoided by usage of TPLSM imagingtriggered on the heart and respiration cycle of the animal under subject, or artery stabilization.
Examples of preliminary image data conducted at the microscope facility: A) Whole mount Omentum imaged in 3D using Thunder microscopy; B) whole mount and optically cleared bone marrow visualized with CLSM; C) whole mount 3D overview of optically cleared aortic arch with label-free plaque visualization (TPLSM); D) optically cleared TLO including nerves (white) and vessels (green) recorded with CLSM.
Remco T. A. Megens, PhDHead of Microcopic Imaging+49 (0)89/4400-54673
Yvonne JansenTechnician+49 (0)89/4400-5438 /-54370