Title: Supply and Installation of a MULTIMODAL-ADAPTIVE 3-4D FLUORESCENCE MICROSCOPE FOR LIVE CELL IMAGING
    Call: EQUIPAMIENTO CIENTÍFICO-TÉCNICO 2024
    Ref.: EQC2024-008059-P
    Principal Investigator: Valeria Caiolfa
    Start Date: 01/01/2024
    End Date: 30/06/2026
    Budget: €483,010.71
    Project Objectives: The integration of this equipment into our advanced microscopy platform will allow users to complete an entire analysis workflow in one location—from widefield imaging to the most advanced super-resolution and multiphoton/FLIM techniques. This will enable the optimization of protocols for a wide variety of samples relevant to current biomedical research. Additionally, it will incorporate spinning disk technology, which serves as an ideal bridge between epifluorescence and confocal microscopy, offering high image quality, speed, low phototoxicity, and ease of use.
    Equipment: The system is based on an inverted widefield fluorescence microscope. While these techniques are often considered popular and straightforward, the equipment we are requesting is unique in Spain due to its hybrid multimodal configuration, which offers unprecedented flexibility, image quality, and equally innovative technical integration features. It combines all the most modern widefield techniques with unique elements for ultra-fast 3-4D measurements in live cells, along with "Imaging Restoration on-flight" routines. These routines represent a pioneering evolution of deconvolution algorithms optimized for widefield imaging, automated in real time according to the acquisition mode and sample type, delivering unmatched performance.

    Additionally, the system enables rapid digitization of coordinate maps that can be transferred to the Unit’s 3D-STED, multiphoton, and confocal systems, significantly enhancing its potential by saving acquisition time and reducing phototoxicity for tissue samples. It will also incorporate spinning disk technology, which allows for much faster acquisition of multichannel and 3D images compared to point-scanning confocal systems, significantly reducing experiment time and improving equipment usage efficiency.
    Additional Information: The funding source for this project is the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and the European Union Funds (FEDER, Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional).


    Title: SPECTRAL, NON-LINEAR AND TIME-RESOLVED MICROSCOPY PLATFORM
    Call: EQUIPAMIENTO CIENTÍFICO-TÉCNICO 2021 (EQC 2021)
    Ref.: EQC2021-007527-P
    Principal Investigator: Valeria Caiolfa
    Start date: 01/06/2021
    End date: 31/12/2023
    Budget: €1.157.025,82€
    Project objectives: The main goal of this proposal is to make a generational step up in translational optical microscopy, enabling new cutting-edge applications in the field of pre-clinical imaging that are not possible with any of the existing systems at CNIC. This non-linear imaging (NLO) platform will provide never before achieved resolution, quality, capacity and a user friendly environment for simultaneous acquisition of multiple markers, fluorescence lifetime (FLIM), infrared scattering (SHG, THG) and with illumination from ultraviolet to deep infrared.
    Equipment: The equipment is based on an advanced confocal module built with a direct microscope that is equipped with objectives suitable for live imaging as well as for standard fixed samples. It is important to highlight that the fully integrated add-on modules, including multiphoton components, revolutionary detectors, and fluorescence lifetime-based routines, make this microscope unique among standardized systems that are commercially available.
    Other information: The grants object of this call are financed by Mecanismo de Recuperación y Resiliencia de la Unión Europea, in accordance with (EU) Regulation.

     

    Title: In Vivo Advanced Nanoscopy at the ICTS - ReDIB - TRIMA - CNIC' (Capacity of the nanoscopy platform enhancement with adaptation to the capture of ultra-fast and multicolor in vivo images)
    Call: FEDER: Infraestructuras Científicas y Técnicas Singulares (ICTS)
    Ref.: ICTS-2018-04-CNIC-16
    Principal Investigator: Borja Ibáñez Cabeza
    Start date: 01/01/2018
    End date: 31/12/2021
    Budget: 320.229,15€
    Project objectives:

    1. To increase the flexibility and capacity of the Nanoscopy platform by adapting to multicolor and ultrafast in vivo imaging.
    2. To increase the capability and flexibility of the Leica TCS SP8 STED 3X super resolution microscope.
    3. Software/hardware and detectors upgrade of the Mai Tai DS Nikon ECLIPSE ISS ALBA (ALBA_FLIM) 2-photon inverted microscope.

    Equipment:

    Other useful links: https://www.redib.net
    Other information: This project is cofounded by the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), «Una manera de hacer Europa».