GFP2 Time-lapse Microscope System
Location: Room 1.12, MRC Building
The old clear environmental chamber has been replaced by a light tight environmental chamber. Access is through the front doors. See the PDF for instructions.
GFP2 is built around a Zeiss Axiovert 200M microscope stand, which has an electronic fluorescence shutter and automated exchange of objective lens and fluorescence filter turret positions. The objective lenses and condenser are suitable for Phase Contrast microscopy (Differential Interference Contrast is not possible). A 0.35 long distance condenser is fitted as standard, but a 0.55 condenser is available if required. The microscope uses a Xenon lamp as a light source for fluorescence microscopy.
The system has a MAC5000 device controller, motorised DC stage and fast transmitted light shutter, all from Ludl Electronic Products. The motorised stage can be used in time-lapse experiments where it is necessary to acquire images of multiple fields in a sample or multiple wells of a multi-well plate. Use of the transmitted light shutter is essential when acquiring bright-field or phase contrast images in time-lapse.
A Hamamatsu Orca AG camera is mounted on the microscope base-port; please be careful when sitting at the microscope or pushing a chair under the air table, as the camera could be damaged.
The custom-built environmental chamber has large access ports to allow easy manipulation of samples on the stage and inclusion of large pieces of equipment in the chamber. A hatch in the lid allows the transmitted light arm to be pushed back to allow the condenser to be replaced. A special chamber that fits onto customised specimen inserts allows samples to be gassed with a humidified stream of 5% or 10% CO2 in air. Not all available inserts will work with this chamber, so please check before starting your experiment.