Confocal Microscope with Laser Ablation

• Subject Area: Neurosciences ; Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
• Term: Funded in 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 553891223

Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) remains the most widely used and versatile light microscopy method for the high-resolution volumetric fluorescence imaging of a large diversity of biological samples. Conventional CLSM setups can be fully customised and equipped with connected devices to enable additional optical manipulations. Our aim is to establish a high-sensitivity CLSM platform equipped with a custom-designed laser-ablation system for functional neuroscience. The platform will enable the high-resolution volumetric imaging of entire live or fixed larvae and allow precise neuronal or axon ablations during calcium imaging experiments. Our aim is to use the system to functionally characterise neural circuit dynamics for marine larval nervous systems, where we also have whole-body synaptic connectome information. Through the Nikon Imaging Center (NIC) we will provide access and training to the laser ablation technology to researchers working on biological samples at COS and the Heidelberg University campus at Neuenheimer Feld. The combination of high-resolution imaging with precise ablation manipulations in nervous systems would strengthen the position of COS in neuroscience and organismal biology. The establishment of functional organismal neuroscience is integral to the research strategy of the Centre for Organismal Studies at Heidelberg University.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Konfokales Mikroskop mit Laserablation
• Instrumentation Group: 5090 Spezialmikroskope
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Leader: Professor Dr. Gáspár Jékely