Nikon CSU-W1 Spinning-Disk Super Resolution by Optical Pixel Reassignment (SoRa)

The Nikon “SoRa” system is our most advanced spinning-disk confocal and merges the advantages of confocal imaging with a 2x increase in resolution using “SoRa mode”, making this both a confocal and super resolution microscope. The SoRa spinning-disk microscope is equipped with an environmental chamber (capable of generating hypoxic conditions) and the high-resolution sCMOS Kinetix camera, making it ideal for super-resolution imaging of live samples (cells, organoids, etc.) with minimal phototoxicity.

Featured Capabilities:

• Confocal imaging (Yokogawa CSU-W1 Optics)
• Live cell imaging (humidity, temperature, and CO2 regulation)
• Super resolution (2x resolution using SoRa mode)

The Microscopy Shared Resource (MSR) is an advanced microscopy facility located at the UA Cancer Center, servicing the immediate needs and future demands of biomedical and translational researchers.

The MSR provides several advanced instruments and services for all UA researchers, including confocal microscopy, super resolution microscopy, slide scanning, live cell imaging, multiphoton and intravital imaging, advanced image analysis, and much more. In addition to providing advanced instrumentation and imaging services, the core facility is a model of academic collaboration. MSR provides a space for on-site workshops, imaging seminars highlighting cutting-edge imaging approaches, demonstrations of next components/instruments, and support to the broader imaging community by building an “imaging culture” on campus.

Nikon N-STORM Super Resolution Microscope

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The Nikon “Storm” system is our super resolution microscope, capable of achieving 20nm XY and 50nm Z resolution (10x increase in resolution than a widefield fluorescence microscope). STochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy (STORM) is our most advanced imaging modality offered at the MSR and requires a consultation with our MSR team prior to experimentation and sample preparation. This instrument is also capable of acquiring 3D STORM images and is currently optimized to image two fluorescence channels (488nm and 647nm).

Due to the nature of this advanced technique, the Storm system is assisted-use only and the MSR will provide optimized protocols and imaging buffers for users.

Featured Capabilities:

• Super resolution imaging (10x resolution)
• 3D STORM (with astigmatism lens)
• Optimized for 2-channel STORM imaging (488nm and 647nm)

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Zeiss LSM880 NLO upright multiphoton/confocal with Airyscan

The Zeiss LSM 880 NLO upright multiphoton/confocal microscope includes a 34-channel detector for spectral information and additional non-descanned GAsP detectors. The system includes 7 visible spectrum laser lines (405, 458, 488, 514, 561, 633nm) in addition to the software tunable Spectra Physics Mai Tai HP DeepSee laser (690nm-1040nm). The system includes additional software modules for controlled region-of-interest scanning, deconvolution, physiology experiments, performing FRAP and control for the motorized stage to allow stitching together images from multiple fields of view into one larger image (montage), as well as visiting multiple sites during a time lapse acquisition.

The instrument includes an environmental chamber suitable for live cell imaging at a variety of temperatures. The facility has wet lab space, cell culture incubators, and a biosafety hood in an adjacent room.

Our Resources page: http://microscopy.arizona.edu/ic-optical-resources

Zeiss Elyra S.1 (SR-SIM) Super Resolution Microscope 

The Zeiss Elyra S.1 uses the technique of structured illumination (SR-SIM) to achieve resolutions two times better than that of a confocal, deconvolution or standard fluorescence microscope. Resolutions in XY of 110nm and in Z of 300nm are possible (resolution is wavelength and sample-preparation dependent), allowing users to image a volume in the sample that is 1/8 that of previous techniques.

The good news is that this super-resolution technique is a not-too-difficult jump from the dyes and sample prep techniques used for a confocal or deconvolution microscope. The Elyra S.1 can image four fluorescent colors, roughly corresponding to DAPI, FITC/GFP, Rhodamine/RFP, and CY5 (see below). SR-SIM can image to depths of 10-15 microns into a sample. Note: SR-SIM does not work well (or at all) with dimly fluorescent samples or samples that photo-bleach.

Image Gallery: http://microscopy.arizona.edu/sim-image-gallery  not yet moved

Information about Structured Illumination Microscopy (SIM) and important sample preparation tips. not yet moved

The Elyra S.1 has the following microscope objectives:

• Plan-Neofluar 10x/0.30
• Plan-APO 40x/1.4 Oil
• Plan-Apochromat 63x/1.40 Oil
• Plan-Apochromat 63x/1.30 Oil/Water/Glycerine KORR
• Alpha Plan-APO 100x/1.46 Oil

The laser lines are 405, 488, 561, and 642nm. Imaging can be performed somewhat faster using a single multi-band cube, or with 4 sequential cubes to reduce spectral overlap, the cubes are:

• EF LBF 405/488/561/642
• EF BP 420-480 / BP 495-550 / LP 655
• EF BP 495-550/BP 570-620
• BP 420-480/LP 655

Our Resources page: http://microscopy.arizona.edu/ic-optical-resources

The RII Imaging Cores - Optical facility is a scientific core facility with two locations (Marley and Life Sciences North) dedicated to the acquisition of images for research, industrial and clinical applications. We offer training and multi-user access to high quality state-of-the-art technologies and cost effective analytical services.

The Marley location features an inverted point scanning confocal microscope, an upright confocal/multiphoton microscope with superresolution capabilities, a fluorescence stereo microscope and a research quality microwave. The manager for this location is Patty Jansma.

The Life Sciences North location features a dedicated superresolution fluoresence microscope (structured illumination, SIM), an inverted multifunction widefield microscope (color brightfield, polarized light, fluorescence), an inverted multifunction widefield microscope capable of "confocal-like" images in thinner samples (color brightfield, polarized light, fluorescence), and an image analysis workstation. The manager for this location is Doug Cromey.

The core facility provides training and support for users from the University of Arizona and the community on a fee-for-service basis.

Facility Email: opticalimaging@arizona.edu