Core Facility

Martin Lehmann

Cellular Imaging Facility

Martin Lehmann Portrait

We address questions of biological and pharmacological importance using light microscopy techniques (confocal laser scanning microscopy, two-photon excitation, uncaging processes, FCS, FRAP, FRET, FLIM, cellular uptake of peptides, colocalization studies, intracellular ion concentrations, protein translations studies, etc.) in conjunction with the electron microscopic and electrophysiological techniques.


Services

The Cellular Imaging Facility assists the users at every stage of their imaging projects, from project design, microscopy training, sample preparations, assistance in imaging to image data analysis and visualization.

Light Microscopy 

The Light Microscopy Unit supports the researchers with high-end fluorescence imaging technology to study living cells, microorganisms, and tissue organization. We aid the study of proteins and membranes at the nanoscale using our super-resolution and TIRF microscopes. We also assist in single-cell and molecular imaging techniques such as FRET, FRAP, FLIM, TIRFM, FCS, ion measurements, and caged compounds.

Electron Microscopy 

The Electron Microscopy Unit provides support in the visualization of cellular ultrastructure and in localizing individual proteins at the subcellular level. The EM unit also supports the users with sample preparation techniques, immunogold labeling, correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM), 3D electron microscopy using tomograpical reconstruction or Focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron microsopy (FIB-SEM), and image data analysis.

Image Data Analysis

The Image Analyst in our facility provide consultation and training in image analysis methods and techniques for extracting meaningful quantitative measurements from images. We also support developing custom automated workflows for image data analysis and visualization. Support with image analysis software such as FIJI/ImageJ, Huygens, Imaris is also available. Every two weeks "Image Analysis Table Talk" is offered which is free for all users to come by and talk about image analysis projects and get help. 

Contact


Research Section

Molecular Physiology & Cell Biology

Equipment


LSM780

  • Fluorescence channels: 34-Channel QUASAR Detection Unit
  • Laser: 405 nm, 458 nm, 488 nm, 514 nm, 561 nm, 594 nm, 633 nm
  • Definite Focus
  • Heating table unit

LSM710-ConfoCor3

  • Fluorescence channels: 34-Channel QUASAR Detection Unit
  • Laser: 405 nm, 458 nm, 488 nm, 514 nm, 561 nm, 633 nm
  • Equipped with a FCS-setup (Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy)
  • Definite Focus
  • Heating table unit

LSM510-META-NLO

  • Fluorescence channels: 3 - one is a META detector
  • Laser: 458 nm, 488 nm, 514 nm, 543 nm, 633 nm and a tunable IR-laser
  • Multiphoton excitation: 720 - 930 nm
  • Equipped with a FLIM-setup (Becker & Hickl GmbH)
  • Heating table unit

LSM780

  • Fluorescence channels: 34-Channel QUASAR Detection Unit
  • Laser: 405 nm, 458 nm, 488 nm, 514 nm, 561 nm, 594 nm, 633 nm
  • Definite Focus
  • Heating table unit

LSM710-ConfoCor3

  • Fluorescence channels: 34-Channel QUASAR Detection Unit
  • Laser: 405 nm, 458 nm, 488 nm, 514 nm, 561 nm, 633 nm
  • Equipped with a FCS-setup (Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy)
  • Definite Focus
  • Heating table unit

LSM510-META-NLO

  • Fluorescence channels: 3 - one is a META detector
  • Laser: 458 nm, 488 nm, 514 nm, 543 nm, 633 nm and a tunable IR-laser
  • Multiphoton excitation: 720 - 930 nm
  • Equipped with a FLIM-setup (Becker & Hickl GmbH)
  • Heating table unit

ZEISS-CSU

  • Perkin Elmer UltraView
  • Yokogawa Spinning disc
  • EMCCD Camera
  • Laser: 405 nm, 488 nm, 568 nm, 640 nm
  • Piezo Z-drive for fast 3D Imaging
  • FRAP unit
  • Velocity Software and analysis

Nikon-CSU

  • Nikon Ti Eclipse with Perfect Focus System and automatic stage
  • Yokogawa Spinning disc (CSU-X1)
  • EMCCD Camera (Andor AU-888)
  • Laser: 405 nm, 445 nm, 488 nm, 514 nm, 561 nm, 638 nm
  • Fast triggered aquisition
  • Piezo Z-drive for fast 3D imaging
  • FRAPPA and 16-Color LED for FRAP and fast optogenetics
  • Incubator with temperature and CO2 control (OKOLAB)
  • NIS-Elements for control and analysi
Nikon CSU

ZEISS-CSU

  • Perkin Elmer UltraView
  • Yokogawa Spinning disc
  • EMCCD Camera
  • Laser: 405 nm, 488 nm, 568 nm, 640 nm
  • Piezo Z-drive for fast 3D Imaging
  • FRAP unit
  • Velocity Software and analysis

Nikon-CSU

  • Nikon Ti Eclipse with Perfect Focus System and automatic stage
  • Yokogawa Spinning disc (CSU-X1)
  • EMCCD Camera (Andor AU-888)
  • Laser: 405 nm, 445 nm, 488 nm, 514 nm, 561 nm, 638 nm
  • Fast triggered aquisition
  • Piezo Z-drive for fast 3D imaging
  • FRAPPA and 16-Color LED for FRAP and fast optogenetics
  • Incubator with temperature and CO2 control (OKOLAB)
  • NIS-Elements for control and analysi
    Nikon CSU

gated STED (Stimulated Emission Depletion)

  • Leica TCS SP8 3X
  • 5 color gated STED with ~40-60 nm lateral resolution
  • 3D STED with ~130 nm isotropic resolution
  • Fluorescence channels: 2 x PMT, 2 x HyD Sp GaAsP
  • Laser: tunable WLL 470-670 nm, 405 nm diode laser
  • Depletion laser (STED): 592 nm, 775 nm
  • Fluorescence lifetime upgrade: Falcon & tauSTED
  • Leica Las X & Huygens Deconvolution

STORM/PALM/STEDYCON

  • Nikon Ti Eclipse with Perfect Focus System
  • Multicolor dSTORM/single particle tracking with 30 nm resolution
  • 3D STORM with 25 nm lateral and 60 nm axial resolution
  • Optosplit II and EMCCD (Andor Ultra 897) for fast multicolor imaging
  • Laser: 405 nm, 488 nm (150mW), 568 nm (150mW), 643 nm (150mW)
  • Automated Image Analysis

STEDYCON

  • 30-50nm lateral resol
LEICA STED

gated STED (Stimulated Emission Depletion)

  • Leica TCS SP8 3X
  • 5 color gated STED with ~40-60 nm lateral resolution
  • 3D STED with ~130 nm isotropic resolution
  • Fluorescence channels: 2 x PMT, 2 x HyD Sp GaAsP
  • Laser: tunable WLL 470-670 nm, 405 nm diode laser
  • Depletion laser (STED): 592 nm, 775 nm
  • Fluorescence lifetime upgrade: Falcon & tauSTED
  • Leica Las X & Huygens Deconvolution
LEICA STED

STORM/PALM/STEDYCON

  • Nikon Ti Eclipse with Perfect Focus System
  • Multicolor dSTORM/single particle tracking with 30 nm resolution
  • 3D STORM with 25 nm lateral and 60 nm axial resolution
  • Optosplit II and EMCCD (Andor Ultra 897) for fast multicolor imaging
  • Laser: 405 nm, 488 nm (150mW), 568 nm (150mW), 643 nm (150mW)
  • Automated Image Analysis

STEDYCON

  • 30-50nm lateral resol

EPI-TIRF

  • 4 color Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence microscopy with 100 nm axial Resolution
  • Laser: 405 nm, 488 nm, 568 nm, 647 nm
  • Fast LED excitation with pe4000 (CoolLED)
  • Nikon Ti Eclipse with Perfect Focus System and automatic stage
  • Standard Widefield Imaging with Dapi, GFP, TxRed and Cy5, or phase contrast
  • Prime95B (Photometrics)
  • Heating and CO2 chamber for live-cell imaging
  • Triggered Acquisiti
EPI TIRF

EPI-TIRF

  • 4 color Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence microscopy with 100 nm axial Resolution
  • Laser: 405 nm, 488 nm, 568 nm, 647 nm
  • Fast LED excitation with pe4000 (CoolLED)
  • Nikon Ti Eclipse with Perfect Focus System and automatic stage
  • Standard Widefield Imaging with Dapi, GFP, TxRed and Cy5, or phase contrast
  • Prime95B (Photometrics)
  • Heating and CO2 chamber for live-cell imaging
  • Triggered Acquisiti
    EPI TIRF

Helios 5 CX

  • Focused ion beam scanning electron microscope, FEG, 30kV (2021)
  • Equiped with ETD, ICE, TLD, MD, ICD detectors for BSE, SE and SI imaging
  • Retractable DBS and STEM detectors
  • Carbon and Platinum GIS
  • Gallium FIB

Zeiss 900

  • Transmission electron microscope , 80 kV, (1994)
  • 11 Megapixel Olympus Morada G2 digital camera (2013)

FEI Tecnai G2

  • Transmission electron microscope, FEG, 200 kV (2008)
  • Equipped with Gatan Cryo-holder
  • Tomography holder
  • Gatan CCD-camera (2kx2k)

Helios 5 CX

  • Focused ion beam scanning electron microscope, FEG, 30kV (2021)
  • Equiped with ETD, ICE, TLD, MD, ICD detectors for BSE, SE and SI imaging
  • Retractable DBS and STEM detectors
  • Carbon and Platinum GIS
  • Gallium FIB

Zeiss 900

  • Transmission electron microscope , 80 kV, (1994)
  • 11 Megapixel Olympus Morada G2 digital camera (2013)

FEI Tecnai G2

  • Transmission electron microscope, FEG, 200 kV (2008)
  • Equipped with Gatan Cryo-holder
  • Tomography holder
  • Gatan CCD-camera (2kx2k)

HPM 100

  • High pressure freezer for cryofixation of cellular monolayers, small animals and tissue biopsies

Leica AFS1

  • Automated freeze substitution instrument for low temperature dehydration, postfixation and embedding

FEI Vitrobot

  • Plunge freezing

HPM 100

  • High pressure freezer for cryofixation of cellular monolayers, small animals and tissue biopsies

Leica AFS1

  • Automated freeze substitution instrument for low temperature dehydration, postfixation and embedding

FEI Vitrobot

  • Plunge freezing

Artos 3D

  • Ultramicrotome for serial sectioning

Reichert Ultramicrotome

  • Ultramicrotome for semi and ultrathin room temperature sectioning

UC6 with FC6

  • Ultramicrotome with a cryochamber for ultrathin cryosectioning

CPD 300

  • Critical point dryer

Q150TE

  • Sputter coater for carbon deposition

ACE600

  • Dual ion beam evaporator for high quality carbon and platinum coatings

EMItech K100x

  • Glow discharger
     

Artos 3D

  • Ultramicrotome for serial sectioning

Reichert Ultramicrotome

  • Ultramicrotome for semi and ultrathin room temperature sectioning

UC6 with FC6

  • Ultramicrotome with a cryochamber for ultrathin cryosectioning

CPD 300

  • Critical point dryer

Q150TE

  • Sputter coater for carbon deposition

ACE600

  • Dual ion beam evaporator for high quality carbon and platinum coatings

EMItech K100x

  • Glow discharger
     

Sample Preparations

  • Resin embedding of biological probes for morphological studies
  • RT- and cryo-ultrathin sectioning
  • Pre- and post-embedding immunogold labelling
  • Negative staining
  • TEM and SEM imaging

Special Applications

  • TEM Tomography of resin embedded samples
  • Correlative light and electron microscopy
  • FIB-SEM and Array Tomography

Sample Preparations

  • Resin embedding of biological probes for morphological studies
  • RT- and cryo-ultrathin sectioning
  • Pre- and post-embedding immunogold labelling
  • Negative staining
  • TEM and SEM imaging

Special Applications

  • TEM Tomography of resin embedded samples
  • Correlative light and electron microscopy
  • FIB-SEM and Array Tomography

Flash 1

Workstation

  • Model: Dell Precision T3620
  • OS: Windows 10
  • CPU: 2x 4 Cores - Intel Xeon E3-1270 v5 @ 3.6GHz
  • GPU: 8 GB GDDR5 - Nvidia Quaddro M4000
  • RAM: 64 GB
  • Storage: 1 TB SSD
  • Software: Imaris, Huygens, MATLAB, Microscopy Image Browser (MIB), Fiji, ImageJ, RStudio

Hurricane 2

Workstation

  • Model: Dell Precision T5500
  • Dual Boot OS: Windows 7, Ubuntu 12.04
  • CPU: 2x 6 Cores - Intel Xeon X5660 @ 2.8GHz
  • RAM: 48 GB
  • Storage: 256 GB SSD, 2 TB RAID
  • Software: RapidSTORM 3.2, RapidSTORM 3.3, PyCorr Fit, Fiji, ImageJ, RStudio, Volocity

Imaris

Software

  • Version 8.4.2
  • 3D/4D/5D image visualization and analysis software
  • Powerful 3D rendering
  • Manual and automatic segmentation
  • ImarisVantage analysis and plots
  • Tracking analysis
  • Co-localization analysis
  • ImarisXT interface with MATLAB

Huygens Professional

Software

  • Version 16.10
  • Advanced 3D deconvolution and restoration
  • Supported: widefield, confocal and STED images
  • 3D visualization and analysis
  • Batch processing

Volocity

Software

  • Version 6.0.0
  • Interactive 3D rendering
  • Volumetric measurements
  • Image deconvolution
  • Microscopy control and acquisition
  • FRAP analysis

MATLAB

Software

  • R2017b
  • Software package for automated image and data analysis

Packages available

  • Image Processing and Computer Vision
  • Signal Processing and Communications
  • Math, Statistics and Optimization

Flash 1

Workstation

  • Model: Dell Precision T3620
  • OS: Windows 10
  • CPU: 2x 4 Cores - Intel Xeon E3-1270 v5 @ 3.6GHz
  • GPU: 8 GB GDDR5 - Nvidia Quaddro M4000
  • RAM: 64 GB
  • Storage: 1 TB SSD
  • Software: Imaris, Huygens, MATLAB, Microscopy Image Browser (MIB), Fiji, ImageJ, RStudio

Hurricane 2

Workstation

  • Model: Dell Precision T5500
  • Dual Boot OS: Windows 7, Ubuntu 12.04
  • CPU: 2x 6 Cores - Intel Xeon X5660 @ 2.8GHz
  • RAM: 48 GB
  • Storage: 256 GB SSD, 2 TB RAID
  • Software: RapidSTORM 3.2, RapidSTORM 3.3, PyCorr Fit, Fiji, ImageJ, RStudio, Volocity

Imaris

Software

  • Version 8.4.2
  • 3D/4D/5D image visualization and analysis software
  • Powerful 3D rendering
  • Manual and automatic segmentation
  • ImarisVantage analysis and plots
  • Tracking analysis
  • Co-localization analysis
  • ImarisXT interface with MATLAB

Huygens Professional

Software

  • Version 16.10
  • Advanced 3D deconvolution and restoration
  • Supported: widefield, confocal and STED images
  • 3D visualization and analysis
  • Batch processing

Volocity

Software

  • Version 6.0.0
  • Interactive 3D rendering
  • Volumetric measurements
  • Image deconvolution
  • Microscopy control and acquisition
  • FRAP analysis

MATLAB

Software

  • R2017b
  • Software package for automated image and data analysis

Packages available

  • Image Processing and Computer Vision
  • Signal Processing and Communications
  • Math, Statistics and Optimization

Research

The central aim of our group is to establish suitable single cell techniques and the application of the most diverse microscopic methods to study the following processes: (i) Molecular composition, nanoscale organization and physiological function of tight junction as ionselective paracellular barrier (with Volker Haucke) (ii) Establish an integrated model of mitochondria based on cross-linking MS, Super-resolution and electron microscopy (with Fan Liu) (iii) Identification of toxic compounds and new pharmacological mechanisms via high-resolution confocal imaging (with Han Sun & Jens Peter von Kries).

Our team