Spinning disk confocal microscope

• Subject Area: Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
• Term: Funded in 2013
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 235603553

The groups in IBCII and participating institutes focus on the spatio-temporal dynamics of cellular protein complexes. We are interested in understanding highly dynamic processes including vesicle trafficking, receptor clustering, activation dynamics of small GTPases, diffusion of macromolecules to sub-cellular compartments and assemblage of complexes in response to various stimuli. Confocal laser scanning microscopy is inherently speed-limited and fast imaging of live cells can be accomplished by multibeam-spinning disk microscopes. Towards this end, the microscopy system is equipped with an automated spinning disk confocal scanning head, with six solid state lasers accompanied with dual high speed, high sensitivity EM-CCD cameras and 2D FRAP modules. This configuration will also allow us to perform FRET/FRAP studies which are crucial for protein-protein interaction and diffusion studies, and the dual camera option allows us to acquire two emission wavelengths in a highly synchronized manner. Apart from understanding the events in a milli-second range, the motorized XYZ stage with hard ware autofocus option enables to acquire highly focused images. The equipment is ”custom-made“ on a stage which can be optimally used in concert with the planned confocal and live cell imaging systems. The system is equipped with six solid state laser lines with CYP/YFP, GFP/RFPimage splitters and thus applicable for broad range of FRET probes. There are also options to upgrade the microscope with more lasers in the future. The application is connected to a parallel application for a laser scanning confocal microscope.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Spinning disk confocal microscope
• Instrumentation Group: 5090 Spezialmikroskope
• Applicant Institution: Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main
• Leader: Professor Dr. Ivan Dikic