PRESS RELEASE
December 5, 2014
Leica Microsystems Previews Light Sheet Module for Confocal Microscope
for Gentle and Fast Live Imaging
Technology Preview at ASCB annual meeting
Mannheim, Germany. At the annual meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) in
Philadelphia, PA, USA, from December 6 to 10, 2014, Leica Microsystems offers visitors a preview of its
latest development: a light sheet module as an optional add-on to the Leica TCS SP8 confocal
microscope for the observation of developing organisms in real time and 3D. The synergy of light sheet
and confocal microscopy opens novel fields of application.
Light sheet microscopy is a gentle method of imaging light-sensitive samples or fast biological
processes in whole organisms, because the specimen is illuminated in a single plane, which reduces
phototoxic effects and protects the sample. By moving the sample along this plane, imaging of threedimensional structures is possible. A high-speed camera allows the imaging of fast cellular processes.
Light sheet microscopy is ideal for applications in developmental biology.
Light sheet microscopy usually requires a dedicated optical setup on a dedicated system, where the
illuminating and the detecting objective are perpendicular to each other. The new light sheet module
from Leica Microsystems uses a unique mirror device, which deflects the illuminating light sheet at a 90°
angle. This allows the integration of the light sheet illumination and detection beam path into the vertical
axis of an inverted Leica TCS SP8 without compromising the confocal functionality. Due to the
combination of light sheet and confocal microscopy users can employ familiar sample handling and can
combine confocal photo manipulation methods easily with light sheet experiments.
The light sheet module is fully integrated into the Leica TCS SP8 modular imaging platform and
expands its imaging options. Every inverted Leica TCS SP8 can be upgraded to a light sheet
microscope. The system can be tailored to the users’ specific needs and additional functionality such as
Dr. Isabelle Köster · T +49 (0)621 / 7028 1151 · F +49 (0)621 / 7028 1180 · isabelle.koester@leica-microsystems.com
Leica Microsystems CMS GmbH · Am Friedensplatz 3 · D-68165 Mannheim · www.leica-microsystems.com
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PRESS RELEASE
STED super-resolution, multiphoton microscopy, advanced lasers or quantitative imaging can be added
whenever needed.
More confocal innovations by Leica Microsystems will be presented at the ASCB meeting in
Philadelphia, booth #801: Visitors can also see a pulsed STED laser at 775 nm, which achieves sub 30
nm resolution, as well as the universal hybrid detector for quantitative FCS, FLIM, FLCS, and supersensitive imaging.
Caption: Light sheet module on the Leica TCS SP8 confocal microscopy platform
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Leica Microsystems is a world leader in microscopes and scientific instruments. Founded as a family
business in the nineteenth century, the company’s history was marked by unparalleled innovation on its
way to becoming a global enterprise.
Its historically close cooperation with the scientific community is the key to Leica Microsystems’ tradition
of innovation, which draws on users’ ideas and creates solutions tailored to their requirements. At the
global level, Leica Microsystems is organized in three divisions, all of which are among the leaders in
their respective fields: the Life Science Division, Industry Division and Medical Division.
The company is represented in over 100 countries with 6 manufacturing facilities in 5 countries, sales
and service organizations in 20 countries, and an international network of dealers. The company is
headquartered in Wetzlar, Germany.
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