Lightsheet microscope system

Description

IGC and CMVM research requires very high resolution imaging of large samples (organoids, model organisms etc) using very gentle illumination. We have already conducted several detailed studies into the imaging methodology required for our applications and have already ruled out: ‘Spinning disk / point scanning confocal’ type illumination as this is too photo-toxic, Gaussian type light sheet, as the abberations in the light sheet beam path are not compatible with our samples, Oblique Plane type imaging approaches as the field of view and resolution of these approaches are not appropriate for our science. Since this equipment is mainly for use in Developmental and cancer biology we also need the system to be fully enclosed and provide a very stable environment for periods of days. It has been determined that a lightsheet type microscope with laser beam forming would be required to fulfil this requirement. Lot 1: IGC and CMVM research requires very high resolution imaging of large samples (organoids, model organisms etc) using very gentle illumination. We have already conducted several detailed studies into the imaging methodology required for our applications and have already ruled out: ‘Spinning disk / point scanning confocal’ type illumination as this is too photo-toxic, Gaussian type light sheet, as the abberations in the light sheet beam path are not compatible with our samples, Oblique Plane type imaging approaches as the field of view and resolution of these approaches are not appropriate for our science. Since this equipment is mainly for use in Developmental and cancer biology we also need the system to be fully enclosed and provide a very stable environment for periods of days. It has been determined that a lightsheet type microscope with laser beam forming would be required to fulfil this requirement.. This was a call-off from APUC buying consortium framework LAB1028AP. Suppliers were engaged in order using the 'Ranked Direct Award' methodology set out in the framework, and Zeiss was the first supplier in the ranking to demonstrate they could fulfil the requirement.