16/SJM/60 - Confocal Microscope

16/SJM/060

Confocal Microscope

The University of Portsmouth’s Science Faculty has a requirement for a state-of-the-art Scanning Confocal Microscope to build on its existing infrastructure in imaging suites in order to advance their work in neuroscience (receptor and channel, adhesion molecules studies), molecular medicine (muscular dystrophy), development (various experimental models), oncology, microbiology and other areas of biomedical and environmental sciences. The microscope will be used in a multi-user environment. Hence, essential requirements are: (i) ease of sample preparation; (ii) a self-diagnosis system that allows each user to verify the performance of the instrument to ensure that it is performing at factory specification. (iii) Smart setup function, which helps less-experienced users to setup appropriate dye configuration for their samples (iv) cross compatibility with existing microscope equipment is essential.

Most of the specimens will have low level of fluorescence. Therefore, the scanner has to be optimised for maximum sensitivity and detection (it is therefore highly desirable that the scanners operate with a linear regime with equal pixel dwell across the whole field of view), with minimum background at low light level conditions, and able to eliminate reflection at low light levels and from specimens on reflective substrates (OD 7).

A central requirement for the instrument is the ability to render images which approximate super-resolution WITHOUT: 1) any additional requirements for sample preparation beyond standard immunohistochemical steps and; 2) any significant imaging processing after acquisition of raw images. In addition, it is essential that the equipment is capable of imaging multiple fluorophores in a single specimen simultaneously (capable of simultaneous spectral imaging, online unmixing of spectrally close dyes, spectral detection range freely selectable) with individual, adjustable digital gains for a range of lasers and pinholes.

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Additional information: Is a Recurrent Procurement Type? : No https://in-tendhost.co.uk/port/aspx/