Leica SP5X Laser Scanning Confocal

  • Ideal for imaging diverse fluorophores in fixed and live samples.
  • Suitable applications include colocalization studies, FRAP, FRET, tile-scanning, spectral imaging, and time courses.
  • Lasers: 405nm, argon (458, 488, 514nm), and white light (470-670nm in 1nm increments).
  • Objectives:  10x, 20x, 40x oil, 63x oil, 63x water, 63x glycerol.
  • Features: 4 photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), a low-noise HyD hybrid detector, motorized x-y stage, z-galvo, resonant scanner for high-speed imaging, and stage-top Tokai Hit environmental chamber with temperature, humidity and CO2 control.
  • Analysis: An off-line workstation with Leica software is available for imaging analysis.

New Users

Faculty and students who wish to use the microscope should follow the instructions in the New Users Guide. Training takes ~2 to 3 hrs, with additional mandatory follow-up sessions required until the director determines the user is capable of operating the microscope independently. Users are encouraged to bring their own samples to the training session. If none are available, prepared slides will be used. It is highly recommended to review the UMD SP5X Quickstart Guide before training begins.

Policy

The microscope is available to trained users on an equal basis. Individual users may reserve one four hour block of time during "peak" daytime hours, and an additional 6 "off-peak" hours (all other times). Investigators performing live cell imaging experiments may signup for 12 hours blocks of time after 6pm.

For a comprehensive list of policies (including BSL-2 protocols), please see the Facility SOP.

Rates

The rate schedule applies to all users and is current for the 2022/2023 academic year. Fees are used to help cover the cost of the service contract on the microscope, which is partially subsidized by the department, and to help pay for materials such as lens paper, lens cleaning solution and mercury bulbs.

System Specifications

Microscope Stand
Leica DMI6000 Inverted
Illumination
405 diode, Argon (458, 488, 514nm), white light (470-670nm in 1nm increments)
Emission
Fully spectral
Light detector
4 PMTs, one low-noise hybrid HyD detector, 1 transmitted light PMT
Objective Lenses
10x/0.4 NA/2.2mmWD
20x/0.8 NA multi-imm/0.26mm WD
40x/1.25 NA oil/0.1mm WD
63x/1.4 NA oil/0.1mm WD
63x/1.2 NA water/0.22mm WD
63x/1.2 NA glycerol/0.28mm WD
Incubation
Tokai Hit stage-top incubator with temperature, humidity, CO2 control
X-Y Stage
Motorized with z-galvo
Software
Leica LASAF

References

References:

Contact Us

Amy Beaven
Facility Director
abeaven@umd.edu
301.405.7238
0107 Microbiology Building
Dr. Charles Delwiche
Faculty Supervisor
delwiche@umd.edu
301.405.8286
2108 Bioscience Research Building