Our light microscopy capabilities provide a range of imaging solutions ideal for imaging biological samples, such as live or fixed cells and tissue sections. We provide support and advice spanning custom sample preparation (including sample preparation equipment, validated reagents and consumables) through to sophisticated 3D image data analysis.

Zeiss LSM 880 Fast Airyscan Confocal Microscope

The Zeiss LSM880 Fast Airyscan laser scanning confocal microscope is capable of near-super resolution imaging of commonly used fluorescence dyes on live cells—as well as fixed samples—without the need for special sample preparation techniques or software deconvolution. This inverted microscope is equipped with environmental control and an auto-refocus device for short and long term live cell imaging and fast spectral data acquisition with on-the-fly spectral unmixing, enabling FRET and FRAP to be assessed in real-time and fluorophores/autofluorescence with overlapping emission spectra to be discerned. This instrument features 405, 458, 488, 514, 561 and 633 nm laser lines; a range of dry, water-immersion and oil-immersion objectives; versatility of imaging speeds; very high sensitivity and signal to noise ratios; 2 flanking PMTs, a single-channel GaAsP detector and a transmitted light detector and; DIC optics; set on an antivibration air-table.

Training requirements

In person training to be completed with relevant staff.

Contact person

Pat Vilimas

Nicholas Eyre

Leica Mica Microhub

The Leica Mica WideFocal Live Cell system is a highly automated microscope that combines widefield and confocal fluorescence imaging in a fully enclosed incubator environment. The system is designed for user-friendly, high resolution imaging of fixed cells or live cells using widefield or confocal modalities and, where desired, ‘Thunder’ or ‘Lightning’ computational clearing/deconvolution image processing. For widefield imaging, incident fluorescence illumination is provided by 365 nm, 470 nm, 555 nm and 625 nm LEDs and detection is achieved using 4 corresponding sCMOS cameras (5 MP). For confocal imaging, illumination is provided by 405 nm, 488 nm, 561 nm and 638 nm laser diodes and detection is achieved using 4 corresponding HyD FS hybrid detectors. In both cases, simultaneous imaging of up to 4 detection channels is possible using the integrated FluoSync^TM emission separation. Available objectives include: PL FLUOTAR 1.6x (NA: 0.05), PL FLUOTAR 10x (NA: 0.32), HC PL APO 20x (NA: 0.75) CS2 and HC PL APO 63x (NA: 1.20) W CS2 motCORR (water immersion objective with automated water dispenser and motorised correction collar for live cell imaging). A motorised stage supports 3D and tile-scan/multi-point imaging, while the humidified 37°C/5%CO₂ incubator and Adaptive Focus Control (AFC) focus system supports long-term live cell imaging. Data analysis is supported by AI-powered image analysis software AIVIA (Leica).

Training requirements

In person training to be completed with relevant staff.

Contact person

Pat Vilimas

Nicholas Eyre

Olympus VS200 Research Slide Scanner

The VS200 slide scanner is configured for automated imaging of up to 126 slides via fluorescence, brightfield, phase contrast, darkfield and/or polarization microscopy. Various high quality objectives (2x, 4x, 10x, 20x, 40x, 40x oil), fluorescence filters (DAPI, FITC, TRITC, Cy5, Cy7, CFP, YFP, mCherry) and cameras (monochrome and colour CMOS cameras) can be employed. High performance automated ‘count and measure’ and ‘deep learning’ software modules are available and separate data analysis and data storage PC workstations support the VS200 image acquisition system.

Training requirements

In person training to be completed with relevant staff.

Contact person

Pat Vilimas

Nicholas Eyre

Incucyte SX5 Live-Cell Analysis Instrument (Sartorius)

The Incucyte SX5 Live-Cell Analysis Instrument is contained within a large (230L) cell culture incubator (37°C, 5%CO₂) and enables long-term live cell imaging using high definition phase contrast and up to 3 fluorescence channels in a single experiment (green  /orange / near IR) in combination with 4x, 10x or 20x objectives. The system features 3 interchangeable trays that can be used with a large variety of cell culture vessels and up to 6 microplates in parallel. A large number of purpose-built software modules (and relevant accessories) are available for various applications in cell health and proliferation, cell function, 3D cell models, cell movement and morphology (Cell Migration/Invasion, Chemotaxis, Spheroid, Organoid, Cell-by-Cell, Neurotrack, ATP Analysis and Angiogenesis software modules are available.

Training requirements

In person training to be completed with relevant staff.

Contact person

Pat Vilimas

Nicholas Eyre

Cytation 5 Cell Imaging Multi-Mode Reader (BioTek)

The Cytation 5 combines automated fluorescence and brightfield microscopy and various microplate detection read-outs (fluorescence, luminescence, UV/Vis absorbance, fluorescence polarization and time resolved fluorescence). Imaging can be performed using various plates (including 96- and 384-well plates), slides (including various chamber slides), objectives (4x, 10x, 20x and 40x) and fluorescence filters (DAPI, GFP, Texas Red and Cy5). The dual reagent injector module is also available for use in flash-type luminescence assays and other controlled reagent delivery into microplate wells.  Environmental control (temperature and CO2) enables performance of long-term live cell imaging experiments.

Training requirements

In person training to be completed with relevant staff.

Contact person

Pat Vilimas

Nicholas Eyre

IX83 Widefield Fluorescence Microscope (Olympus) 

The IX83 widefield fluorescence microscope has been customized for sensitive imaging of fluorescently labelled samples. The system features an iXon Life 888 EMCCD camera (Andor) that is configured for ‘SRRF-Stream+’ super-resolution imaging and enables sensitive imaging with fast frame rates and/or low-light illumination of samples. Illumination is provided by a pE-800 LED light engine (CoolLED) equipped with corresponding fluorescent filters (DAPI, CFP, FITC, YFP, TRITC, mCherry and Cy5). A range of objectives are available (10x, 20x, 40x, 60x, 100x) and live cell imaging (37°C, 5%CO₂) is supported using a stage-top incubator (Okolab) and an IX3-ZDC2 motorized Z drift compensator.

Training requirements

In person training to be completed with relevant staff.

Contact person

Pat Vilimas

Nicholas Eyre

Epifluorescence microscopes

We have a range of compound and inverted epifluorescence microscopes equipped for camera-based digital image acquisition of slide-mounted samples as well as live cell or organoid cultures in a variety of culture dish types. These are set up to image all common blue, green, red and far-red emitting fluorophores with negligible cross-excitation or emission bleed through. These epifluorescence microscopes enable inexpensive screening and imaging of samples with minimum training required.

Training requirements

In person training to be completed with relevant staff.

Contact person

Pat Vilimas

Nicholas Eyre

Brightfield and stereo microscopes

We have brightfield compound and stereo microscopes equipped for full colour camera-based digital image acquisition, enabling inexpensive imaging of a variety of samples with minimum training required.

Training requirements

In person training to be completed with relevant staff.

Contact person

Pat Vilimas

Nicholas Eyre

Sample preparation

Comprehensive sample preparation expertise and equipment is available to cater for custom preparation of live cells as well as fresh, frozen and fixed tissue samples. We have automated embedding equipment (Leica HistoCore PEARL) and a range of microtomes, sledge microtomes, ultramicrotomes, vibratomes and cryostats available. We can also provide a range of reagents and consumables, including validated secondary antibodies (enzyme and fluorophore conjugates), routine and specialist colourimetric stains, slides, coverslips and coverglass-bottom chambers/dishes. Researchers can opt for sample preparation to be provided or to be trained to access our sample preparation facilities.

Training requirements

In person training to be completed with relevant staff.

Contact person

Pat Vilimas

Nicholas Eyre