News
15/05/2026
The Nikon AxR confocal has been upgraded with the NSPARC detector.
The Nikon NSPARC (Nikon Spatial Array Confocal) detector improves resolution and signal-to-noise ratio. Combined with the resonant scanner it can be used for high resolution live imaging. Contact us if you want training.
01/05/2026
The new Nikon W1 spinning disk has arrived!
Spinning Disk Confocal microscopes use a spinning disk of pinholes to reject out of focus light resulting in optical sectioning. Unlike a point scanning confocal, the whole field of view is simultaneously illuminated and the image captured on a camera chip. The resulting improvement in speed and the lower light load makes a spinning disk confocal ideal for live imaging.
The water pump allows long term live imaging with the high NA water objectives by replenishing the water drop so keeping everything in focus.
https://www.microscope.healthcare.nikon.com/en_EU/products/confocal-microscopes/csu-series/csu-w1
21/06/2022
The Nikon AxR confocal is here.
The Nikon AxR confocal has been installed in room 223 and replaces the Leica SP5. The Nikon confocal has temperature controlled incubation and a CO2 supply for live imaging. The R stands for Resonant scanner for increased speeds and the Field Of View is pretty impressive too.
The Nikon confocal comes with a water pump to allow extended stage travel with the high NA water objectives by maintaining the meniscus across long travel distances. The water pump will also prevent evaporation during long-term live imaging experiments.
01/04/2022
The GIIF has a walk-on part in The Great Bioquest launching this weekend.
The Great BioQuest is a web-based trail that takes players around the city centre exploring the local scientific history that has impacted the work we do at the Gurdon Institute today. Take part any time at TheGreatBioquest.com.
The Great BioQuest was created by Amy Foreman (Brand lab group).
24/03/2022
The Nikon SoRa spinning disk has arrived!
Spinning Disk Confocal microscopes use a spinning disk of pinholes to reject out of focus light resulting in optical sectioning. Unlike a point scanning confocal, the whole field of view is simultaneously illuminated and the image captured on a camera chip. The resulting improvement in speed and the lower light load makes a spinning disk confocal ideal for live imaging.
The SoRa Disk contains a modified micro-lens pinhole array which enables optical photon reassignment giving rise to a 1.4x resolution improvement over standard spinning disk technology.
The water pump allows high-content plate screening with the high NA water objectives by maintaining the meniscus across the entire plate.
Training requests and equipment bookings are done through PPMS