Multiphoton confocal microscope

• Subject Area: Materials Science
• Term: Funded in 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 527484312

For characterizing multicellular structures, microscopy techniques are required that ensure high spatial and temporal resolution even several hundred micrometers deep inside a material. This is highly relevant especially in the context of tissue engineering as well as in organotypic 3D tissue culture systems. Furthermore, 3D-structured materials are highly interesting to study cell growth. The microscopic characterization of such biohybrid material cell systems is absolutely necessary to understand the impact of different materials on cell behavior in 3D. Therefore, a multiphoton confocal microscope with high penetration depth and low cytotoxicity is required to carry out projects in which living cellular systems are investigated in three dimensions with high spatial resolution and over longer timescales. The system should operate in several wavelength ranges to ensure broad applicability in several projects and collaborations. In addition, it must allow long-term measurements to study the growth of cells in three-dimensional structures. An important application of the microscopy system is the investigation of the influence of three-dimensional material properties, generated by two-photon lithography or bio-printing methods, on cells, multicellular structures and tissue structures.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Multiphotonen-Konfokalmikroskop
• Instrumentation Group: 5090 Spezialmikroskope
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Leader: Professorin Dr. Christine Selhuber-Unkel