Confocal and super-resolution microscopy are two powerful techniques that allow scientists to image biological samples with unprecedented detail. Both techniques are used to study biological processes at the cellular and subcellular level, leading to a number of important breakthroughs in our understanding of cell biology, including the discovery of new proteins and signaling pathways, and the identification of the molecular basis of disease.

• Confocal microscopy uses a laser beam or spinning disk to scan a sample. It produces a series of two-dimensional images that are combined to create a 3D image.
• Super-resolution microscopy uses a variety of techniques to overcome diffraction of light to allow the visualization of structures that are too small to be seen using conventional microscopy.

Challenges of Confocal and Super-Resolution Microscopy

Although confocal and super-resolution microscopy are very different techniques, they pose similar challenges to users:

Risk of sample degradation

The high-intensity illumination which is necessary for both techniques may cause cellular phototoxicity in live cell images and “bleaching” in fixed specimens.

Slower scan times due to high-resolution imaging

Imaging at higher resolution allows researchers to see ever finer detail, but equates to longer scan times and, therefore, loss of productivity. The solution to both challenges is increased speed for motion control, focusing, and imaging. Speeding up the process, while ensuring there is no loss of quality, negates the challenge of longer scan times. It also helps to reduce the potential damage to samples by reducing the length of time they are exposed to high intensity light during imaging.

Increase throughput with Prior and Queensgate.

Prior Scientific’s Queensgate nanopositioning piezo focus devices increase imaging throughput with industry-leading speed, travel range, and accuracy.

Whether imaging fixed tissue specimens or live cell imaging Prior products minimize the time required to image multiple focal planes when combined into a single 3D image. 

Prior’s SP and OP series of nanopositioning piezo Z systems come with other powerful features as standard that improve imaging speed:

• Active damping to reduce overshoot
• Velocity control for constant velocity Z stacks
• User-selectable tuning presets for different sample weights
• Programmable custom waveforms with TTL outputs for camera control

Add flexibility to your confocal

Compatible with Queensgate XY, Z and XYZ piezo stages, the H189 XYZ Deck provides 50 mm of motorized XY and Z travel allowing researchers to utilize all of the potential sample space and microscope power of the latest confocal microscope systems.

The H189 has an overall sample height range from 79.5 mm to 410 mm. This impressive travel range makes the H189 XYZ Deck a motorized platform which can quickly switch between diverse samples such as fixed tissue slides and large animal in vivo studies. It also features large, removable metric breadboards which are useful for remote sample preparation.