ASI Light Sheet Microscope

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Applied Scientific Instrumentation (ASI) has developed the latest form of light sheet microscopy — the Dual Inverted Selective Plane Illumination Microscopy (diSPIM) system.

The diSPIM utilises two water emersion objectives mounted at 45° angles above the sample on an inverted microscope. A third objective can also be used to view the sample from below. The top objectives are mounted on piezo positioning devices so precise image stacks can be obtained.

The system utilises micro-mirrors to generate the light sheet. As the diSPIM illuminates only the focus plane, it is suitable for imaging living cells and organisms because it minimises photobleaching and phototoxicity effects.

The diSPIM is a modular microscope with plenty of possible variations and add-ons depending on the user’s specific needs. The complete system can be mounted on to an existing inverted microscope or supplied with ASI’s Rapid Automated Modular Microscope system (RAMM).

In comparison to confocal/spinning disk systems, the product is said to have a >10x reduction in photobleaching and 2x better axial resolution. It also offers rapid 3D imaging with isotropic resolution (330 nm in all directions) and acquisition rates up to 200 planes/s.

Featuring a multicolour capability, the microscope uses conventional sample mounting on glass cover slips or an open dish. It has been tested successfully on cells embedded in collagen gels and nematode and zebrafish embryos.

For more information: http://www.scitech.com.au/index.php?page=dispim.