Short Description
The confocal microscope is a high-resolution fluorescence microscope used for studying cells and biological processes through fluorescently labeled molecules. Confocal detection suppresses signals from outside the focal plane, enabling high spatial resolution and high-contrast imaging. The system employs laser excitation at different wavelengths to visualize cellular structures, protein localization, and molecular interactions. Additionally, it allows the investigation of dynamic processes in living cells. A key application is molecular imaging, which enables the visualization of biological mechanisms at the molecular and cellular levels. This supports research fields such as chemical biology, cell biology, biochemistry, and biomedicine.
Contact Person
Marion Goldeck
Research Services
The confocal microscope is available for research services in high-resolution fluorescence microscopy, confocal imaging, and molecular imaging. External users can access the infrastructure for live-cell imaging, protein localization studies, cellular process analysis, and fluorescence detection. Additionally, consultation and methodological support are available in the fields of fluorescent probes, in vivo chemistry, and cell and molecular biology. For further information or individual inquiries, contact is possible.
Methods & Expertise for Research Infrastructure
The confocal microscope is used in combination with existing expertise in fluorescent probes, molecular imaging, live-cell imaging, and in vivo chemistry to analyze biological processes at the molecular and cellular level. By employing targeted fluorescent markers, cellular structures, protein interactions, and dynamic processes in living cells can be visualized with high resolution.
The research infrastructure supports both conventional widefield fluorescence microscopy and confocal imaging, enabling precise optical sectioning and signal enhancement. This allows for the real-time investigation of biological mechanisms and the monitoring of cellular responses to chemical stimuli or therapeutic interventions. Additionally, research projects benefit from expertise in cell biology and molecular biology, available at the Cell Culture Core Facility at TU Wien. This interdisciplinary competence enables comprehensive analyses of cell models, including genetic and pharmacological modulation, for studying physiological and pathophysiological processes. The combination of state-of-the-art microscopy and in-depth biological expertise opens up a wide range of applications in chemical biology, biomedicine, and drug discovery. As a result, this infrastructure is particularly relevant for collaborations with academic institutions, industry partners, and biotech companies looking to employ innovative methods for high-resolution imaging and functional analysis of biological systems.