FLIM/FCS Upgrade to Nikon A1R+ Confocal

We have recently upgraded our Nikon A1R+ Confocal Microscope to have Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) and Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS) capabilities.

Background: Typical fluorescence imaging relies on detection of photons to record intensity-based images. However, fluorescence lifetime, defined as the time the fluorophore remains in the excited state before returning to the ground state, opens up many more possibilities for analysis. The fluorescence lifetime is characteristic to each dye and its environment, providing the way for diverse techniques such as:

·         Local Environment Testing: Biological sensors such as pH, ion concentration and polarity

·         Detecting molecule interactions: Determine if molecules are interacting in living cells

·         Characterisation of materials: Use fluorescence lifetime to characterise materials

·         Multiplexing with multiple labels: FLIM allows discrimination of different fluorophores even when their fluorescence spectra overlaps

Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS) is a correlation analysis of temporal fluctuations of the fluorescence intensity. Biochemical parameters such as concentration and size or shape of the particle or viscosity of the environment can be determined.

Please see our seminar on an introduction to FLIM and FCS.

For further information on these techniques, how they can be used in your research or to be trained in using FLIM and/or FCS, please contact Paul

  • Instrument upgrade