Regensburg 2010 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 34: Posters: New Technologies

BP 34.5: Poster

Thursday, March 25, 2010, 17:15–20:00, Poster B2

STED microscopy: High-resolution imaging of dynamic processes — •Christian Osseforth¹, Jeffrey Moffitt², and Jens Michaelis¹ — ¹Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Department Chemie und Biochemie, Butenandtstr.11, 81377 München — ²FAS Center for Systems Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138

Stimulated emission depletion microscopy has been shown to overcome the diffraction limit of normal confocal fluorescence microscopes by resolving structures down to 19 nm in x and y [1]. While for a long time the application of STED microscopy has been hindered due to the necessity of using complicated laser systems, the recent development of commercially available supercontinuum lasers have significantly lowered the cost and complexity of operating such a setup in a lab environment [2]. Here we present our current STED microscope setup using the aforementioned compact laser source in conjunction with a highspeed scanning stage. This allows for observing dynamic processes in vitro and in vivo with nanoscale resolution. Restrictions in scanning speed are set by the repetition rate of the laser source (1 MHz at the moment) but are thought to improve as the demand for fast, high power super-continuum lasers rises. We will discuss general design considerations as well as practical considerations for building a STED system.

[1] Wildanger D et al.; J. Microsc. 2009; 236(1):35-43

[2] Wildanger D et al.; Opt Express 2008; 16(13): 9614-9621