Confocal Imaging System

Tender description

The Microscopy Facility within the School of Biosciences at the University of Kent has a requirement to replace our existing Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope (LCSM) with a replacement that would be a good fit in a multiuser environment. The Confocal system must be based around an inverted microscope platform with an environmental chamber that has a full range of objective lenses with LED illumination. The confocal side of the system must have a range of laser excitation (from 405 to 650nm) and have the capacity to capture multiple wavelengths quasi-simultaneously. In addition to standard confocal techniques (e.g. FRAP, FRET, and TIRF) the system must have the ability to capture fast dynamic events during live cell imaging (i.e. 1 to 100 msec exposure times). Super resolution capability at 20 nm resolution of fixed samples (e.g. PALM / STED / STORM ) and of dynamic processes within living organisms (e.g. SIM). The multiuser environment dictates that software associated with the system and offline work station should be user friendly and intuitive. Installation, training and servicing options should be included.