Acquisition of a microscope Leica Thunder Imager 3D Live Cell

NNF CBMR – Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic metabolic Research

https://cbmr.ku.dk/

NNF CBMR – Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic metabolic Research

https://cbmr.ku.dk/

THUNDER Imager 3D Live Cell is designed for imaging of cell culture assays. It allows a clear view of details, even deep within an intact sample, in real time without out-of-focus blur. This is achieved with a new opto-digital method, Computational Clearing, created by Leica. The THUNDER Imager minimizes photo-bleaching and provides high performance imaging and high throughput, which helps to maintain optimal physiological conditions and leads to better workflow efficiency and statistics.

ERC grant agreement No. [101002725]

To which purpose we will use the instrument:

We are studying and developing complex in vitro cell structures including primary adipocytes, IPS derived neurons, organoids, spheroids and 3D cultures. We will use these cell models to study response to candidate molecules derived from our omics screenings. In these cell models, we are setting up multiplex staining protocols. For candidates successful in vitro we will proceed with in vivo stimulation. We need an instrument with for live cell imaging, to access the development of our cell models, as well as fixed cell imaging for multiplex FISH analysis. We also need an instrument for tissue section imaging. To meet our requirements, we need a system that can provide optimal physiological conditions for our sensitive cell models collect complex data and at the same time produce publication-ready, high-resolution images. Finally, the instrument must be user friendly.

Which unique characteristics will be used:

We have identified “THUNDER Imager Live Cell & 3D Cell Culture & 3D Assay” (hereafter called THUNDER) as an instrument that successfully and uniquely meet all our requirements.

• THUNDER acquires large datasets of fluorescent images in numerous fluorescence channels of several Z planes in high speed with automated quantification (Patent DE102018128281B3).

• THUNDER feature the innovative Leica technology Computational Clearing (pending European patent: WO2019185174A1). It efficiently removes out-of-focus blur in real time, enabling imaging of 3D specimens with camera-based fluorescence microscopes. This technology is crucial for the type of samples we will use, which will have a wide range in thickness and complexity.

• THUNDER is user friendly with the option of both computational and manual adjustment of focus.

• THUNDER offers a Fluorescence Intensity Manager (FIM) option, which ensures low phototoxicity and photobleaching (Patent US 7,379,238).

• THUNDER comes with temperature control, humidity and gas concentrations with dedicated environmental control hardware and integrated software control.

• In order to accommodate the highest repeatability, THUNDER is equipped with a closed loop focus, which allow multi-point time-lapse experiments with 20nm repositioning accuracy.