Microscopy

TIME Core Room 1610

The TIME Core Microscopy Laboratory provides advanced imaging technologies to support high-resolution, dynamic and multiplexed analysis of cells and tissues.

Led by Dr. Patricia Lima, the laboratory supports both live and fixed-cell imaging, allowing researchers to capture biological processes in real time or examine structural detail with advanced confocal and widefield microscopy.

Leica STELLARIS Confocal Microscope with SpectraPlex

The Leica STELLARIS confocal microscope supports high-resolution spectral imaging and advanced fluorescence lifetime analysis. With SpectraPlex, researchers can detect more than 15 markers within a single imaging session, enabling highly multiplexed analysis of complex samples.

Key features

White Light Laser supporting up to eight simultaneous excitation lines across the spectrum
Power HyD detectors with sensitive spectral detection from 410 to 850 nm
Large field-of-view scanner with LAS X Navigator software for high-speed imaging and uniform illumination
Adaptive Focus Control to maintain focus during imaging
Advanced spectral unmixing to separate overlapping fluorescent signals and reduce crosstalk

Objectives

PL FLUOTAR 5×/0.15 DRY
PL APO 10×/0.40 CS2
HC PL APO 20×/0.75 IMM CORR CS2
HC PL APO 63×/1.40 OIL CS2
HC PL APO 100×/1.40–0.70 OIL

TauSense fluorescence lifetime imaging

TauContrast – provides functional information such as metabolic status, pH and ion concentrations
TauGating – improves image quality by removing unwanted fluorescence contributions
TauSeparation – expands the combination of fluorescent signals beyond standard spectral options
TauInteraction – supports detection and quantification of molecular interactions, including protein-protein interactions

SpectraPlex tools

Streamlined panel-design workflow
Automated acquisition settings
Advanced spectral unmixing with adaptive acquisition settings
Virtual Fridge database for managing laboratory-specific markers
Design Panel tools to optimize fluorophore combinations and panel configurations

Leica Mica Microhub

The Leica Mica Microhub is the world's first fully integrated widefield and confocal microhub designed to simplify advanced live-cell fluorescence imaging through intelligent automation and an incubation-safe environment.

Two-photon confocal microscopy with FALCON – Leica SP8 System

The Leica SP8 MP DIVE FALCON is an advanced upright multiphoton and confocal microscope platform that integrates fast fluorescence lifetime imaging. Two-photon microscopy is an advanced fluorescence imaging technique that uses near-infrared light to excite fluorophores only at a precise focal point, allowing for deep tissue imaging without needing a physical pinhole.

Leica STELLARIS Confocal Microscope with SpectraPlex

TauContrast is a real-time, semi-quantitative imaging tool on Leica Microsystems Stellaris confocal microscopes that maps fluorescence lifetime—specifically the mean photon arrival time—as an extra contrast channel alongside standard intensity. This microscope is available on the SpectraPlex system.

Integrated Spatialomics Support

The Microscopy Laboratory is integrated with TIME Core’s Genomics & Molecular biology, Spatialomics, Histology and Flow cytometry platforms to support advanced spatialomics research.

Using technologies such as Leica Cell DIVE, Leica SpectraPlex and the Leica Aivia software suite, researchers can combine molecular profiling with spatially resolved imaging to study complex tissue and cellular environments.

Pricing

Microscopy services start at $60 (tech time) + $60 (instrument time) = $120/hour. Some more advanced imaging cost more per hour. Please contact us for quotes and details.

Planning your experiment

Need help planning your microscopy experiment?

Contact the TIME Core team before beginning your study to discuss imaging requirements, panel design and the most appropriate microscopy platform for your research goals.

Patricia Lima: pdal@queensu.ca
Curtis Noordhof: noordhof@queensu.ca

TIME Core Room 1610

Leica STELLARIS Confocal Microscope with SpectraPlex

Key features

Objectives

TauSense fluorescence lifetime imaging

SpectraPlex tools

Leica Mica Microhub

Two-photon confocal microscopy with FALCON – Leica SP8 System

Leica STELLARIS Confocal Microscope with SpectraPlex

Looking for our Transmission / Scanning Electron Microscopy? Visit the Histology page

Integrated Spatialomics Support

Pricing

Planning your experiment

Need help planning your microscopy experiment?