Super Resolution Microscope Systems

The Carl Zeiss ELYRA microscope systems introduce two discrete super resolution techniques to optical microscopy for the first time. Structured Illumination Microscopy (SIM), developed by scientists at the University of San Francisco, and Photoactivated Localization Microscopy (PAL-M) each offer extraordinarily high resolutions that overcome the classical diffraction limit to microscopic resolution. Compared to conventional microscopy, super resolution images have up to double the resolution in all three spatial directions, down to less than 200 nanometers. The ability to resolve to this level within the living cell opens up original experimental possibilities, especially in cell biology and neurological research.

PAL-M technology offers the highest resolution currently available while the outstanding feature of SR-SIM technology is its high level of flexibility in the choice of dye. This means that both super resolution methods minimise previous limitations in dye selection or user-friendliness and that users no longer need to invest in single extremely specialised and expensive systems.

Three microscope systems are being offered. ELYRA S.1 is the first microscope system to offer SR-SIM technology on a standard microscope stand while ELYRA P.1 offers PAL-M technology commercially for the first time. The ELYRA PS.1 offers both technologies in one system and in combination with a laser scanning microscope, meaning that that an object can be successively imaged with LSM, SR-SIM and PAL-M. The optimal combination for high-end research is offered by ELYRA in conjunction with the LSDM 780 laser scanning microscope. However, PAL-M and SR-SIM may also be combined with the LSM 710 system.