Prototype for spectrally resolved re-scan confocal microscopy

Fluorescence microscopy is an indispensable technique to resolve structure and specificity in many scientific
areas such as diagnostics, health care, materials- and life sciences. With the development of multi-functional
instruments now costing hundreds of thousands of Euros, the availability and access to high-tech
instrumentation is increasingly limited to larger imaging facilities. Here, we designed a cost-effective alternative
by combining a commercially available solution for high-resolution confocal imaging (the re-scan confocal
microscope, RCM, from confocal.nl) with an open-hardware microscopy framework, the OpenFrame. We
suggested new multiplexing capabilities of fluorescence microscopy in general and the RCM in particular
implementing our recent for the spectral separation of different emitters via our newly developed spectra unit.
Altogether, this NWO KIEM funded project inspired valuable collaborations with several industrial partners that
will also continue after the end of this project. We developed a very promising spectrally-resolved superresolution system enabling us to image multiple emitters simultaneously at high densities. This combination
makes our system incredible interesting not only for academia, but also for industry.

Fluorescence microscopy is an indispensable technique to resolve structure and specificity in many scientific areas such as diagnostics, health care, materials- and life sciences. With the development of multi-functional instruments now costing hundreds of thousands of Euros, the availability and access to high-tech instrumentation is increasingly limited to larger imaging facilities. Here, we will develop a cost-effective alternative by combining a commercially available solution for high-resolution confocal imaging (the RCM from confocal.nl) with an open-hardware microscopy framework, the miCube, developed in the Laboratory of Biophysics of Wageningen University & Research. In addition, by implementing a recent invention of the applicant for the spectral separation of different emitters, we will improve the multiplexing capabilities of fluorescence microscopy in general and the RCM in particular. Together, our new platform will help to translate expertise and know-how created in an academic environment into a commercially sustainable future supporting the Dutch technology landscape.