The Zeiss LSM700 is an inverted microscope - objectives are below the stage. This confocal microscope is ideal for short- and long-term imaging of live cells and tissues. 

The LSM700 is capable of simultaneous and sequential high-resolution imaging of three or more fluorophores. Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) is also available to acquire a contrast image of a transparent sample.

The LSM700 is a fully automated microscope platform capable of multi-site time-lapse imaging. The “Definite Focus” module maintains samples at the focal plane over time, and a temperature-, CO2- and humidity-controlled enclosure maintains optimal environmental conditions for live cell imaging.

The LSM700 supports state-of-the-art imaging applications including colocalization studies, volume rendering, particle tracking and motion analysis, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), fluorescence loss in photobleaching (FLIP), and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET).

The LSM700 is also equipped with a XenoWorks micromanipulator and a digital microinjector from Sutter Instruments, which enable the introduction of exogenous material into living cells. In addition, a micropressure system [PDF] is available to measure intracellular pressure.

Light Sources

Halogen lamp for bright-field microscopy (white light illumination)

• a contrast image of the specimen can be directly observed through the eyepiece

Metal halide arc lamp for direct visualization of fluorescent specimens through the eyepiece

Laser lines

• 405 nm for DAPI staining
• 488 nm for GFP / YFP / FITC / Alexa 488 / Cy2
• 555 nm for tdTomato / mCherry / TRITC / Cy3
• 639 nm for Alexa 647 / Cy5

Objectives

(Magnification / Numerical aperture)

• 10x/0.3 Dry (Zeiss)
• 20x/0.8 Dry (Zeiss)
• 40x/1.2 Water (Zeiss)
• 63x/1.4 Oil (Zeiss)

Detectors

2 PMTs for fluorescence, 1 PMT for Differential Interference Contrast (DIC)

Acquisition software

Zen 2010 (Zeiss)