Equipment

Microscopes and Spectrometers

MicroTime 200 [Skaggs 060B]

The MicroTime 200 (PicoQuant) is an inverted objective-scanning confocal fluorescence microscope for time-resolved experiments. This microscope has single-molecule sensitivity, and is used for fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS — standard-focus and dual-focus), single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (single-molecule FRET), and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) measurements.

Zeiss Laser-Scanning Microscope 880 with PicoQuant Upgrade and Airyscan Detector [Skaggs 060B]

The Zeiss LSM 880 is an inverted laser-scanning confocal fluorescence microscope integrated with an upgrade by PicoQuant, particularly suited for live-cell experiments using time-resolved techniques. This microscope system is used for fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (single-molecule FRET), and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) measurements. The Airyscan detector provides users with greater resolution from its super resolution mode. It can also provide an increased scan speed with the Airsycan fast mode.

Nikon 2000TE Microscope for Imaging and Spectroscopy [Skaggs 060B]

The Nikon TE2000U inverted microscope has four ports for observation and has been configured for direct excitation fluorescence imaging and Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence microscopy (TIRF) using an Andor iXon 897 EMCCD camera. The TIRF configuration currently supports single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (single-molecule-FRET) experiments.

Qpod homemade time-resolved fluorometer with Hamamatsu PMTs [Skaggs 060B]

The Qpod is a custom-built time-resolved fluorimeter with red sensitive PMTs that is enclosed in a black box. The system is equipped with excitation/emission polarizers, and the sample chamber can be temperature controlled. A PicoQuant MultiHarp 150 TCSPC unit is used as the photon counting module enabling this system to acquire fluorescence lifetime and time-resolved anisotropy measurements.

Horiba Duetta-bio Fluorescence and Absorbance Spectrometer [Skaggs 060B]

The Horiba Duetta-bio provides users with cuvette-based aborbance and fluorescence measurements from 250-1100 nm. Fast acquisition of these measurements is made with a CCD detector. The sample chamber can be temperature controlled by a Quantum Northwest Luma 40 cuvette holder with a range from -40-110 ˚C. The system is equipped with excitation and emission polarizers, which allow for measuring steady-state anisotropy.

Light Sources

PicoQuant LDH-440, LDH-470, LDH-480, and LDH-635 Picosecond Diode Lasers [Skaggs 060B]

These fiber-coupled, picosecond-pulsed laser diodes at 440 nm, 470 nm, 478 nm and 637 nm, operate with a frequency range from single-shot to 40 MHz, are used with the time-resolved fluorometer and the Nikon TE 2000.

Coherent OBIS 552 LS [Skaggs 060B]

This CW diode laser at 552 nm is used for TIRF microscopy with the Nikon TE 2000.