Confocal Laser Scanning microscope

• Subject Area: Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
• Term: Funded in 2013
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 235648799

The groups in Institute of Biochemistry II (IBCII) and participating institutes focus on understanding the dynamics and localization of protein complexes within the cell and confocal-laser scanning microscopes are the state-of-art equipment to address these scientific issues. IBCII obtained a confocal microscope on a HBFG application in 2003 which has been extensively used as evident from more than 50 publications coming out of the institute with data acquired with the same. This new application has been made as we encounter frequent defects with the old microscope and also to further expand the institute’s high-end time lapse imaging capabilities. The requested microscope is the latest equipment currently available in the market for confocal microscopy with the most advanced features like a hybrid photon detector coupled with live cell imaging components. Furthermore, this system will allow us also to perform FRET/FRAP techniques which are crucial for studying spatio-temporal dynamics of protein-protein interactions in cells. Equipped with solid state lasers, there is also the option of upgrading the set up to perform highest resolution, multi-photon and FCS studies in the future. Thus the system is the ideal option in the long term interests of ours as well as the neighboring institutions. The system will be in line with existent and the planned spinning disk confocal imaging system to be obtained through a parallel application. Both applications are therefore highly interdependent.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Confocal Laser Scanning microscope
• Instrumentation Group: 5090 Spezialmikroskope
• Applicant Institution: Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main
• Leader: Professor Dr. Ivan Dikic