Services

The Optical Microscopy Unit of the Institute of Biosciences and Applications (IBA) of NCSR “Demokritos” offers state-of-the-art equipment, which serves imaging needs of the research laboratories of the Institute as well as hospitals and universities

Equipment:

Leica TCS SP8 MP

A multi-photon confocal microscope with a fully automated motor bank. The system is accompanied by a incubator chamber for the strict control of all environmental conditions (humidity, temperature, CO2, O2, N2). Multi-image / confocal microscopy system (Leica SP8 in inverted DMi8, equipped with PMT and two hybrid detectors, three AOTF-regulated laser sources, a Mai Tai eHP Deep See laser and climate chamber)

BioRad MRC 1024

Confocal microscope equipped with a Nikon E600 upright optical microscope (3 color detection).

Applications:

This unit covers a wide range of optical microscopy applications, such as:

• Multi-channel Fluorescence Microscopy, covering the ultraviolet, visible spectrum and infrared
• Multicolor 3D Imaging
• Live cell imaging Two-photon confocal microscopy
• Second Harmonic Generation imaging protocols
• Förster [Förster / Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)] protocols for monitoring molecular interactions in living and permanent cells
• Photofluorescence Fluorescence Recovery Protocols (FRAP) Co-location analysis in live and fixed cells
• Calcium ion imaging (Calcium imaging)
• Spectral Unmixing Differential Contrast Contrast Microscopy (DIC) (known as Nomarski Microscopy)
• Image processing and analysis (with specialized software such as ImageJ / Fiji and Imaris (Bitplane)