Equipment
Leica TCS SP5 Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope
Leica TCS SP5 Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope The Leica SP5 confocal system has eight visible laser lines provided by a multi-line argon laser, a Diode-pumped solid state laser, and orange and red helium neon lasers. In addition, a UV diode laser provides excitation at 405nm thus enabling the imaging of dyes such as DAPI, and the blue fluorescent proteins.
| Laser | Wavelength |
|---|---|
| Near UV Diode | 405 nm |
| Argon | 458 nm 476 nm 488 nm 496 nm 514 nm |
| DPSS (Diode-Pumped Solid State) | 561 nm |
| HeNe Orange (Helium-Neon) | 594 nm |
| HeNe red (Helium-Neon) | 633 nm |
The laser lines are readily controlled by acousto-optical tunable filters and the combination of the acousto-optical beam splitter (AOBS) and the fully tunable spectral detectors provide maximal flexibility for the detection of dyes/fluorescent proteins with closely overlapping emission characteristics.
The five spectral confocal channels and a transmitted light channel permit the simultaneous capture of 5 fluorescent signals plus DIC.
This SP5 system is equipped with a conventional scanner and a high speed ‘resonant’ scanner capable of scanning up to 25 frames/second (512 x 512 format). The confocal system is attached to a Leica DM 6000 fully automated upright microscope with high numerical aperture oil and water immersion objectives and a SuperZ galvonometer-controlled stage.
Objectives:
| Description | Magnification / Aperture | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 10X Dry | 10X / 0.40 | HC PL APO CS |
| 20X Water | 20X / 0.70 | HC PL APO CS |
| 40X Dry | 40X / 0.85 | HCX PL APO CS |
| 40X Oil | 40X /1.25-0.75 | HCX PL APO CS |
| 63X Oil | 63X/1.40-0.60 | HCX PL APO CS |
| 63X Water | 63X/1.20 | HCX PL APO |
The microscope is equipped with a UV light source (Metal Halogenide) and 4 filter cubes (UV, green, red LP and red BP):
| Filter cube | Excitation filter | Emission filter |
|---|---|---|
| A | BP 340-380 | LP 425 |
| I3 | BP 450-490 | LP 515 |
| GFP | BP 450-490 | BP 500-550 |
| N2,1 | BP 515-560 | LP 590 |
| N3 | BP 546/12 | BP 580-620 |
Training is required and the training fee is $80 per user. This covers 3 hours training session, one hour hands-on session (with assistance), as well as assistance when using the microscope. The usage fee is $25/ hour
Olympus SZX-12 Stereo Microscope
The Olympus SZX12 is a stereoscope with a long working distance and wide zoom range. It is equipped with DFPLFL 0.5X PF and DFPLFL 1.0X objectives coupled with 10 X eyepieces (Zoom range to 108X). The two parfocal objectives are mounted on a revolving nosepiece which allows easy switching between lenses and easy adjustments of focus. It is mounted on a transmitted light base and has dual fiber optics for reflected illumination. It is equipped with a color CCD camera connected to the Optronics MagnaFire acquisition software. A choice of filter cubes is available for fluorescence imaging:
| Filter cube | Excitation filter | Emission filter |
|---|---|---|
| UV (DAPI) | 350/50 | 460/50 |
| BP Green (FITC) | 480/30 | 535/40 |
| LP Green (GFP) | 470/40 | LP 500 |
| Red (TRITC) | 540/25 | 605/55 |
This scope can be used free of charge following a free 15 minutes training.
Leica DM5500 Epifluorescence Microscope
Leica DM5500 Epifluorescence Microscope is equipped with five objectives: 10X dry, 20X immersion, 40X dry, 63X water and 63X oil. All objectives are equipped for bright field and Polarized imaging. DIC is currently unavailable on 10X and 40X. It has an automatic touch pad for lowering and raising the stage. A choice of filter cubes is available for fluorescence imaging. It is equipped with a color CCD camera connected to the ProgRes C14 acquisition software.
| Type | Filter cube | Excitation filter | Dichroic mirror | Emission filter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UV | A | BP 340-380 | 400 | LP 425 |
| Green | I3 | BP 450-490 | 510 | LP 515 |
| Green | GFP | BP 450-490 | 500 | BP 500-550 |
| Red | N2,1 | BP 515-560 | 580 | LP 590 |
The hourly usage fee for DM5500 microscope is $2.50 an hour. Training is required and is provided free of charge.
Our free training covers all the basics of the microscope and image acquisition. Training takes about 30 minutes, and you can take it any day between 9am and 1pm (except Thursdays). Contact PCIC in advance to make sure that we are available to provide the training.
After an initial training, all instruments can be scheduled through
To schedule an appointment for training with microscope use, or for questions, please contact PCIC@cornell.edu or call 607-254-4436 between the hours of 9 am and 1 pm.