Live Cell Imaging
Keeping cells viable is crucial for obtaining artifact-free data in long-term imaging. Control and maintenance of temperature, pH and humidity as well as low light stress and stage stability are prerequisites for successful experiments.
Shifting perspective from single microscope components to a full working live cell imaging solution, Leica Microsystems integrates microscope, LAS X imaging software, cameras, and dedicated third-party components into a complete live cell imaging system.
Our experts on solutions for live cell imaging applications are happy to help you with their advice.
Live cell imaging Products 14
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THUNDER Imager Model Organism
The THUNDER Imager Model Organism allows fast and easy 3D exploration of whole organisms for developmental or molecular biology research.
THUNDER Imager 3D Live Cell & 3D Cell Culture & 3D Assay
THUNDER Imagers provide you with a solution for advanced 3D cell culture assays, whether you want to study stem cells, spheroids, or organoids.
THUNDER Imager Tissue
The THUNDER Imager Tissue allows real-time fluorescence imaging of 3D tissue sections typically used in neuroscience and histology research.
SP8 LIGHTNING
Super-resolution live cell imaging in multicolor
SP8 FALCON
The contrast is clear. Lifetime imaging in an instant
PAULA
Smart Cell Imager
LIGHTNING
The maximum of information from each specimen
LAS X Life Science
Software platform for life science applications
DMi8 S Platform
For routine to live cell research
Infinity TIRF
Multicolor advanced TIRF module
Leica DFC365 FX
1.4 MP cooled monochrome camera for standard live cell imaging of GFP-expressing cells and tissues
Leica DMi1
Entry level inverted microscope
Leica DM IL LED
Inverted Laboratory Microscope with LED Illumination
Live Cell Imaging System
Inverted Microscope Platform Leica DMi8
A shift of perspective from microscope components to a live cell imaging system dedicated to your applications.
Keep your cells alive using environmental components such as the new INCUBATORi8.
- Fully motorized Leica DMi8
- Leica Adaptive Focus Control (AFC)
- Infinity Port (Additional incident illumination port)
- Lumencor SpectraX (multi-LED light source)
- External fast filter wheels
- INCUBATORi8 (Environmental chamber)
- Leica DFC9000 (sCMOS camera)
- Leica Application Suite X (Software) with Enviromental control and advanced analysis modules
Impressive focus accuracy
Do you need a fast software auto-focus, but also highly accurate positioning to follow small structures like vesicles over time? Or do you need high resolution three-dimensional images of large data sets?
Accurate 3D imaging
In both cases, standard microscope focus drives do not work with sufficient accuracy to obtain meaningful data at high resolution.
Rather than using a step motor, the Closed Loop Focus drive measures and positions with 20 nm reproducibility over an increased travel range of 12 mm. With this level of precision, 3D imaging is more accurate than ever before.
Stay in focus
During long term imaging, cells and their environment often change. To ensure that your cells stay in focus Leica offers two automated systems: the hardware based Adaptive Focus Control (AFC) and the image- based High Speed Autofocus.
AFC keeps the focus stable
- The AFC actively keeps the focus stable even after changing environmental conditions.
- The image-based High Speed Autofocus uses independent camera and illumination settings to find the focal plane with a low amount of light on the sample.
- Combine AFC with High-Speed Autofocus to actively refocus, lower focus time and minimize phototoxicity.
Software for live cell imaging
Leica Application Suite X (LAS X) is the imaging and analysis software for live cell imaging from basic documentation to advanced fluorescence imaging, including super-resolution and confocal microscopy.
LAS X Software
Learning to use LAS X software for all of your applications is straightforward. Utilizing a workflow-based structure, the software is built to get you up and running quickly.
When it comes to data analysis, LAS X has you covered with wizard-based automated 2D and 3D image analysis. From simple documentation to complex analyses in multiple dimensions, this software is up to the challenge with comprehensive solutions for your research.
Create the right environment
Users expect more from their inverted microscopes when it comes to live cell experiments. A complete system optimized for long term imaging relies on optimal measurement conditions and reproducible results.
Beside keeping cells in the optimal conditions, microscope components such as stages, specimen holders and optics are key factors for the success of live cell experiments. With a thoughtfully integrated system from Leica, your imaging experiment will result in meaningful, reproducible data, ready for publication.
With the Environmental Control module in LAS X, all environmental control parameter are combined in one user-interface, making it easy to control and monitor conditions throughout your experiment.
High-speed fluorescence
High-speed live cell experiments require a seamlessly integrated system composed of sophisticated software control, fast fluorescence and sensitive cameras that work together to deliver the highest quality imaging results.
With the DFC9000 sCMOS camera, you get not only the cutting-edge in camera technology, but also a perfect match to maximize the imaging potential of the DMi8.
TIRF
Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence
For dynamic processes at the cell surface, TIRF (Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence) microscopy is the method of choice to visualize cellular events with minimal fluorescent interference from out-of-focus light.
With the Leica DMi8 TIRF system, you can observe samples with outstanding clarity, control, and confidence.
Standard imaging port matches 19 mm diagonal of DFC9000 sensor. See 41% more at a glance and be 30% faster during tile scans.
External Filter Wheel
Leica Microsystems’ External Filter Wheels for living cell applications are fast, vibration-free, and exceptionally versatile. Use the fast filter wheels for excitation, attenuation and emission control to capture cellular events at the speed of life.
Excitation and emission light can be selected in just 24 milliseconds (acquisition speed: 31 fps), and individual excitation colors can be attenuated just as quickly.
Outstanding image quality
The best image quality combines superior optics with intelligent innovations for live cell research.
Simplify adaption to your sample’s refractive index with an objective with motorized correction collar. During long term imaging, the Water Immersion Microdispenser counteracts water evaporation when as an immersion medium. Or choose an objective dedicated to live cell imaging at 37°C, like the 63x glycerol objective. Maintain the sharpest images with ease.
Innovative accessories like the MotCorr objectives ensure that the objective matches the refractive index of your sample.
Image Gallery: THUNDER Imager
To help you answer important scientific questions, THUNDER Imagers eliminate the out-of-focus blur that clouds the view of thick samples when using camera-based fluorescence microscopes. They achieve…Read article
Where to go? Cellular Migration requires coordinated Transitions of Actin Cortex
Plants, Bacteria, and Fungi possess a rigid cell wall that protects the cell and gives it shape. Animal cells, such as mammalian cells, have no outer wall, which exposes their plasma membrane to the…Read article
How can PAULA help streamline the workflow for my wound healing assay?
The wound healing assay, often used as a synonym for scratch assay or migration assay, is an important tool for the evaluation and measurement of cell migration, whether single cells or cell…Read article
THUNDER Technology Note
So far, widefield microscopy was not suitable to image larger volumes, since the contrast of the recorded fluorescence image is reduced by the background (BG) mainly originating from out of focus…Read article
Confluency Check with PAULA Cell Imager
Many cell-based experiments require cells in a certain state. This can include their morphology, fluorescent protein expression, and the confluency of the cell layer. Researchers check their cells…Read article
Simultaneously Measuring Image Features and Resolution in Live-Cell STED Images
Reliable interpretation and quantification of cellular features in fluorescence microscopy requires an accurate estimate of microscope resolution. This is typically obtained by measuring the image of…Read article
Solvent immersion imprint lithography
We expand upon our recent, fundamental report on solvent immersion imprint lithography (SIIL) and describe a semi-automated and high-performance procedure for prototyping polymer microfluidics and…Read article
Adipose Stem Cells Display Higher Regenerative Capacities and More Adaptable Electro-Kinetic Properties Compared to Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Adipose stem cells (ASCs) have recently emerged as a more viable source for clinical applications, compared to bone-marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) because of their abundance and easy…Read article
Introduction to Mammalian Cell Culture
Mammalian cell culture is one of the basic pillars of life sciences. Without the ability to grow cells in the lab, the fast progress in disciplines like cell biology, immunology, or cancer research…Read article
Graphene-Based Microbots for Toxic Heavy Metal Removal and Recovery from Water
Heavy metal contamination in water is a serious risk to the public health and other life forms on earth. Current research in nanotechnology is developing new nanosystems and nanomaterials for the fast…Read article
Real Time Observation of Neutrophil White Blood Cell Recruitment to Bacterial Infection In Vivo
The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an emerging vertebrate model organism to study infection. The transparent larva comprises a fully functional innate immune system and enables live imaging of fluorescent…Read article
Five Questions Asked: Prof. Dr. Jacco van Rheenen speaks about the most important considerations when imaging deep into mouse tissue
When operating a confocal microscope, or when discussing features and parameters of such a device, we inescapably mention the pinhole and its diameter. This short introductory document is meant to…Read article
Clap On, Clap Off. Protein On, Protein Off
Unlike genetic or pharmacological manipulation, light-controlled proteins respond immediately, can be temporally and spatially triggered, are reversible, and are specific to the protein of interest.…Read article
Chronic Inflammation Under the Microscope
In the course of chronic inflammation certain body areas are recurrently inflamed. This goes along with many human diseases. With the help of widefield light microscopy, the underlying processes can…Read article
Super-Resolution Optical Microscopy of Lipid Plasma Membrane Dynamics
Plasma membrane dynamics are an important ruler of cellular activity, particularly through the interaction and diffusion dynamics of membrane-embedded proteins and lipids. FCS (fluorescence…Read article
Multiphoton Microscopy Publication List
Multiphoton Microscopy is an advanced technique for imaging thick samples. Applications range from the visualization of the complex architecture of the whole brain to the study of tumor development…Read article
Factors to Consider When Selecting a Research Microscope
An optical microscope is often one of the central devices in a life-science research lab. It can be used for various applications which shed light on many scientific questions. Thereby the…Read article
Discovery of Novel Peptides Targeting Pro-Atherogenic Endothelium in Disturbed Flow Regions -Targeted siRNA Delivery to Pro-Atherogenic Endothelium in vivo
Application example of HyVolution Super-Resolution - Atherosclerosis occurs preferentially in arterial regions exposed to disturbed blood flow. Targeting these pro-atherogenic regions is a potential…Read article
Work More Efficiently in Developmental Biology With Stereo Microscopy: Zebrafish, Medaka, and Xenopus
Among the aquatic model organisms used in molecular and developmental biology the most prominent are the zebrafish (genus species: Danio rerio), medaka or japanese rice fish (genus species: Oryzias…Read article
Work More Efficiently In Developmental Biology With Stereo Microscopy: Fruit Flies (Drosophila Melanogaster)
For scientists and technicians working with fruit flies, most often genus Drosophila, this report is intended to give useful information to help improve daily laboratory work by making the steps of…Read article
Adeno-associated Viral Vectors do not Efficiently Target Muscle Satellite Cells
Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors are becoming an important tool for gene therapy of numerous genetic and other disorders. Several recombinant AAV vectors (rAAV) have the ability to transduce…Read article
Highly Selective Fluorescent and Colorimetric Probe for Live-cell Monitoring of Sulphide Based on Bioorthogonal Reaction
H2S is the third endogenously generated gaseous signaling compound and has also been known to involve a variety of physiological processes. To better understand its physiological and pathological…Read article
STED-FLCS: An Advanced Tool to Reveal Spatiotemporal Heterogeneity of Molecular Membrane Dynamics
Heterogeneous diffusion dynamics of molecules play an important role in many cellular signaling events, such as of lipids in plasma membrane bioactivity. However, these dynamics can often only be…Read article
Label-free in vivo Imaging of Myelinated Axons in Health and Disease with Spectral Confocal Reflectance Microscopy
We report a new technique for high-resolution in vivo imaging of myelinated axons in the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerve that requires no fluorescent labeling. This method, based on spectral…Read article
Individual Macromolecule Motion in a Crowded Living Cell
There is solid evidence for analyzing fluorescence correlation and dual color fluorescence crosscorrelation spectroscopy data ( FCS and dual color FCCS) in cellular applications by equations based on…Read article
The Bimodally Expressed MicroRNA miR‐142 Gates Exit from Pluripotency
A stem cell's decision to self‐renew or differentiate is thought to critically depend on signaling cues provided by its environment. It is unclear whether stem cells have the intrinsic capacity to…Read article
What Makes sCMOS Microscope Cameras so Popular?
sCMOS cameras are more sensitive and are capable of much higher acquisition speed than cameras with other sensor types. Even though CCD cameras are widely used in live cell imaging and time-lapse…Read articleHow to do a Proper Cell Culture Quick Check
In order to successfully work with mammalian cell lines, they must be grown under controlled conditions and require their own specific growth medium. In addition, to guarantee consistency their growth…Read article
4Pi-RESOLFT Nanoscopy
Here we apply the 4Pi scheme to RESOLFT nanoscopy using two-photon absorption for the on-switching of fluorescent proteins. We show that in this combination, the lobes are so low that low-light level,…Read article
Light Sheet Microscopy Turned Vertically
Living cells and organisms often suffer from the high light intensities used for fluorescent imaging. Light sheet microscopy reduces phototoxic effects and bleaching by illuminating a specimen in only…Read article
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