Zeiss Axio Observer

The Ziess live cell Axio Observer is an inverted modular microscope that allows for flexible and automated experimental design and is suitable for live cell imaging.

The Axio Observer system is suitable for both labelled and label-free samples.

It is compatible with a variety of sample chambers, including:

two to eight well chamber slides
petri dishes
multi-well plates

This microscope will provide scientists with the ability to create an optimal environment to image samples from living cells to fixed tissues.

Above: Embryonic lab-grown lung stem cells, with proteins of interest marked in yellow and blue. Brighter yellow cells are undergoing cellular replication. Credit: Casey Ah-Cann

Above: Colon cancer cells that have been treated with SN-38, an anti-cancer drug. The drug works by blocking the building of DNA, effectively preventing cancer cells from growing. Credit: Karl Leuchowius

Hardware

Light sources

LED Illumination: 420nm, 470 nm, 555 nm and 625 nm
Illuminator HXP 120 V (DAPI, GFP, CY3, Texas Red and Cy5 nominal filter sets
Bright field illumination (Phase contrast and DIC)

Detection source

PCO.Edge sCMOS 16-bit camera

Objective magnification	5x	10x	20x	40x	63x	100x
Immersion media	Air	Air	Air	Water	Oil	Oil
XY-resolution (µm)	2.22	0.74	0.42	0.28	0.24	0.24
Working distance (mm)	12	2.0	0.55	0.28	0.19	0.17
NA	0.15	0.45	0.8	1.2	1.4	1.4

Technological specifications (Capabilities)

Available modalities

Z-stack
Time-series
Tile scan
Multi positions

Additional hardware

Definite focus
Open application development for automated workflow

Unique features

Open application development allowing for modular, automated workflows.

Above: The Zeiss Axio Observer microscope at the Institute

Above: All four images are of embryonic blastocysts that are growing in a dish, with cell mass surrounded and protected by the zona pellucida. The top two images show normal development with the blastocyst cavity forming, but the bottom two images show that cells have proliferated and compacted but the blastocyst is not developing correctly. Credit: Karen Doggett

Limitations

Limited 3D resolution
Poor signal-to-noise ratio in brightly labelled samples
Photobleaching

Acknowledgement

The purchase of this microscope was supported by the Harold & Cora Brennen Benevolent Trust and the Rebecca L Cooper Medical Research Foundation.

Case study

Watching cancer cells respond to chemotherapy

Experts

Professor Kelly Rogers

Cindy Evelyn

Dr Lachlan Whitehead

Dr Niall Geoghegan

Selected publications

Contact the Centre for Dynamic Imaging to book equipment or discuss imaging collaborations.

imaging@wehi.edu.au