New Platform Provides Integrated Imaging Solution

A new platform from Leica Microsystems offers a new type of wholly integrated imaging solution that combines widefield and confocal imaging in a single system, while also leveraging machine learning software, automation tools and unique fluorescence unmixing techniques to automate imaging workflows.

Mica, the world’s first Microhub, allows researchers, regardless of expertise, to work in a single digital imaging platform, moving confidently from setup to beautifully visualised results, allowing true access for all. The Microhub intelligently automates sample-finding, parameter-setting and focus constancy, replacing manual setup with just one push of a button. Mica eliminates over 85% of the tedious setup steps in the conventional imaging workflow.

Mica also fully integrates everything a researcher needs for radically simplified workflows, using automation and AI to enable deeper understanding and a faster track to publication. For example, to perform a complex experiment such as a fluorescence multi-well plate assay, the current workflow can be simplified from 24 steps using a conventional microscope to just 8 steps with the use of Mica.

"Research paradigms are constantly evolving, as we have seen with the recent evolution of single cell and transcriptomics. The next frontier is about essentially putting this dissociated information into spatial context, as location is critical to understanding biological mechanisms. The trend is driving more researchers to utilize complex imaging in their research. We have built Mica for these researchers, who need to focus more on their biology than the specialism of microscopy," said James O’Brien, Vice President Life Sciences at Leica Microsystems. "The Microhub era will supercharge the microscopy experience for everyone."

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