Science Lab

Learn. Share. Contribute. The knowledge portal of Leica Microsystems. Find scientific research and teaching material on the subject of microscopy. The portal supports beginners, experienced practitioners and scientists alike in their everyday work and experiments. Explore interactive tutorials and application notes, discover the basics of microscopy as well as high-end technologies. Become part of the Science Lab community and share your expertise.

Example of calibrating a microscope at a higher magnification value using a stage micrometer.

Microscope Calibration for Measurements: Why and How You Should Do It

Microscope calibration ensures accurate and consistent measurements for inspection, quality control (QC), failure analysis, and research and development (R&D). Calibration steps are described in this…

Mouse hippocampus brain slice on a grid after HPF using the “Waffle Method”.

The “Waffle Method”: High-Pressure Freeze Complex Samples

This article describes the advantages of a special high pressure freezing method, the so-called “Waffle Method”. Learn how the “Waffle Method” uses EM grids as spacers for high-pressure freezing,…

C. elegans embedded in Lowicryl® HM20; pharynx showing red fluorescence (mCherry). The overview shows a front view onto the resin capsule formed by the bottom of a flow-through chamber of the EM AFS2. The capsule was pretrimmed manually. The blockface was trimmed automatically using the AutoTrim function of UC Enuity guided by fluorescence of the worm. Edge length of both squares in relation to the images is 250 µm.

How Fluorescence Guides Sectioning of Resin-embedded EM Samples

Electron microscopes, including transmission electron microscopes (TEM) and scanning electron microscopes (SEM), are widely utilized to gain detailed structural information about biological samples or…

C. elegans nematode embedded in Epon epoxy resin, contrasted with osmium tetroxide. The resin block was pretrimmed by hand. Scale bar: 500 µm.

How to Save Time and Samples by Automated Ultramicrotomy

This article describes how 3D micro-CT data of a resin-embedded electron microscopy sample can be used to trim the specimen down to a defined target plane prior to sectioning. The interactive and…

Mosaic scan of a Masson-Goldner stained cat brain. Magnification: 20x.

Lipidomics Analysis of Sparse Cells based on Laser Microdissection

Delve into cellular intricacies with high-coverage targeted lipidomics analysis of sparse cells. This advanced method, integrating Laser Microdissection (LMD) and Liquid Chromatography-Mass…

Multiplexed Cell DIVE imaging to characterize the tumor immune microenvironment in human colon adenocarcinoma (CAC) tissue.

AI-Powered Multiplexed Image Analysis to Explore Colon Adenocarcinoma

In this application note, we demonstrate a spatial biology workflow via an AI-powered multiplexed image analysis-based exploration of the tumor immune microenvironment in colon adenocarcinoma.

Camera image during auto alignment. The feedback lines indicate if the correct edges in the image are detected. Green: Vertical center line; Magenta: Upper edge of the light gap; White: Lower edge of the light gap (not visible here, falling together with red line); Red: Knife edge; Blue: Left and right edge of the block face being automatically detected.

Automatic Alignment of Sample and Knife for High Sectioning Quality

Automatic alignment of sample and knife on the ultramicrotome UC Enuity, enabling even untrained users to create ultrathin sections with reduced risk of losing precious sections.

Adult human Alzheimer’s brain demonstrating a panel of 15 markers.

The Shape of the Brain: Spatial Biology of Alzheimer’s Disease

Uncover cell identity and brain structure in Alzheimer's disease with Cell DIVE multiplexed imaging, demonstrating how spatial biology can lead to advances in therapy development for…

Macroscale to Nanoscale Pore Analysis of Shale and Carbonate Rocks

Physical porosity in rocks, like shale and carbonate, has a large effect on the their storage capacity. The pore geometries also affect their permeability. Imaging the visible pore space provides…