Spinning disk confocal microscope

• Subject Area: Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
• Term: Funded in 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 457838313

Live-cell imaging techniques allow real time examination of cellular function and intracellular processes under experimental conditions and are therefore critically important to obtain a better understanding of biological function. Our current research focuses on understanding the mechanistic basis of cellular processes such as cell locomotion and cell division (mitosis) using immune cells as model organism. The major goal is to elucidate cytoskeletal dynamics and rearrangements in living cells in the context of immunobiology. Live-cell microscopy usually involves a compromise between obtaining image quality and maintaining healthy cells and is therefore a major technical challenge. Cells are prone to photodamage, especially when fluorophores are present. When fluorescent molecules are in an excited state, they react with oxygen to produce free radicals that can damage subcellular components and adversely affect cellular behavior.Immune cell migration and division are both fast processes. The cytoskeleton plays a major role during these processes. Microtubule filaments are dynamic structures, which switch between growth and shrinkage on a milli-second scale. When selecting the system, which to use for studying these processes, three major issues have to be considered:1. Sensitivity of detection2. Speed of acquisition3. Viability of the specimen. Spinning disk confocal microscopy emerges as state-of-the-art technique for fast live cell imaging with high spatial and temporal resolution and minimal phototoxicity for living cells.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Spinning-Disk Mikroskop
• Instrumentation Group: 5090 Spezialmikroskope
• Applicant Institution: Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
• Leader: Professorin Dr. Eva Kiermaier