Lattice Light-Sheet Microscope

The lattice light-sheet microscope (LLSM) is a fully home-build 3D super resolution system copied from the original prototype of the Betzig lab. We are typically using squared and hexagonal optical lattices in the dithered sample scan mode for high-speed volumetric imaging. Squared lattices are best-suited for almost no out-of-focus bleaching and lowest phototoxicity and can be used for single molecule imaging. The hexagonal lattices with its very thin central lob are providing the highest z-resolution with around 370 nm for green fluorescence at 500 nm. This lattices can also be used for structured illumination microscopy (SIM) to gain higher resolution in x and z-direction.
We established 3D-SIM as well as single molecule imaging in living cells. Currently, we are extending our SR repertoire by PALM, dSTORM and PAINT microscopy and non-linear SIM based on reversible patterned photoactivation. By adding adaptive optics, we want to increase resolution deeper inside cells, tissues and organisms.