Fluorescent microscopes

Tender description

A spinning disk based confocal microscope system is required for the new research group which has joined the MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit (MBU). Such an instrument is essential for the work of the new group and the MBU does not possess one at the moment. The MBU already possesses point scanning confocal and N-SIM super-resolution microscopes. These two microscopes are used to acquire images at high and super resolution, however a spinning disk system is necessary to develop the cell biology aspects of the MBU's work because of its ability to perform very fast live cell imaging and rapidly acquire a large number of high-quality images for quantification and subsequent publication, which the existing systems are unable to do. A spinning disk based confocal system, due to its unique technology compared to the usual point scanning based confocal system, is able to acquire very fast images in live and fixed cells in a matter of seconds compared to a matter of minutes. This type of microscope will complement the microscopes already present at the MBU and its acquisition will extend the MBU's capabilities by equipping it to perform a range of cell biology techniques. The main requirements are: 1) The spinning disk system by itself, such as the new Yokogawa CSU-W1 or equivalent. 2) The capacity to acquire a range of wavelengths, from 405 to 785 nm. A light differential interference contrast (DIC) is also required. 3) Two different cameras to perform independently live or fixed cells analysis. A CMOS camera with high resolution (at least 2048 x 2048 active pixels) and sufficient frame rate for an entire field to perform fixed sample imaging. An EMCCD camera with high sensitivity, large field, and sufficient frame rate to acquire an entire field (at least 512 x 512 pixels) for live cell imaging. For both of them, possibility to acquire the fill desired field at high resolution and high speed. 4) A FRAPPA (Fluorescence Recovery After Photo bleaching and Photo Activation) MBU to activate specific fluorescent probe and follow its spreading or to analyse the protein recycling at a specific organelle after photo bleaching. 5) A system to keep the illumination and the confocality constant in the full field. 6) An inverted microscope compatible with the described system, including at least 3 high quality objectives (40X, 60X and 100X), a piezo and motorized stage for live and fixe cells interchangeable, a control unit, small stage compatible thermostatic chamber to perform live cell imaging. 7) All the required accessory equipment, including for example laser unit or joystick to control the microscope, stage, etc. 8) A computer with adequate software to control all the system; for example to perform multi stage position images acquisition. 9) The possibility to upgrade the equipment if required. 10) An efficient service to advise-on, repair and update all the equipment. Full and specific details of the requirements can be found in the Award Questionnaires in the provided attachment(s) and on the Emptoris e-sourcing platform.