Nikon AX microscope

Description of the system

• Motorised XY-stage
• Motorised objective revolver
• Fast motorised focus (600μm piezo)
• Software (6D-acquisition, visualisation, advanced experimental design with image analysis feedback in imaging workflows)
• Hardware autofocus
• Plan Apo 4x, 20x, 25x silicon, 40x water and 60x oil objectives corrected for standard 0,17 mm coverslips
• Plan Fluor ELWD 20x objective with correction collar for 0-2 mm cover glass (plastic) correction
• Motorised EPI-fluorescence with LED-illumination (DAPI/FITC/TRITC/CY5)
• Laser unit with approximately 405, 488, 561 and 640 nm lasers
• Confocal scan head with both galvano and resonant scanners
• Motorised condenser compatible with phase contrast and DIC
• Four detectors (2 high-sensitivity PMTs and 2 GaAsP)
• Transmitted Light (TL) detector
• Software for 6D image acquisition and advanced experimental design with analysis feedbacks
• Powerful PC with 32" 4K monitor
• ”Cage” incubator with CO2 and temperature control and inserts for MW-plates, 35mm petri-dishes and standard slides
• Offline software with advanced analysis, AI-enabled image processing and analysis and 2D and 3D deconvolution capabilities

Access to the system

This system is available for users at LUDC, Lund University as well as external ursers. The microscope is located at CRC in Malmö and users need granted permission to enter the room. All users must undergo a tutorial in order to use the system and sign an agreement. Please contact Anna-Maria Dutius Andersson for questions about access and tutorial.

Charges and user fees

A one-year warranty and four additional years of preventive maintenance contract is included in the system, so a low running cost is anticipated during the first year (for immersion oil, lens paper, assistance time – estimated to be about 5-10 percent of full time depending on usage).

During 2026-2029, running costs may increase since the preventive maintenance contract does not fully cover spare parts in case of repairs.

To prevent that fees inhibit the use of the system, running costs will be charged as follows until 2029:

• Running costs will be charged in proportion to usage time at the end of each calendar year.
• Repairing costs will be charged directly after costs are incurred and in proportion to usage time during a maximum of two years before the costs have incurred.

Additional fees for training and assistance

Estimated cost is 2500 SEK/hour per user for individual training. Sessions can be shared (max three people) in which case, this fee is also shared.

Acknowledgement

Whenever images or data generated using this system are published, the following text must be included in the acknowledgement:

“This study was supported by the Swedish Research Council, Strategic Research Area EXODIAB, Dnr 2009-1039, by the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research Dnr IRC15-0067 and by a grant from The Albert Påhlsson Foundation.”