Press Release

ZEISS Lattice Lightsheet 7: Long-term volumetric imaging at subcellular resolution with a minimum of light exposure

ZEISS introduces new Lattice light sheet fluorescence microscope

1 December 2020 · 2 min read
  • Core Imaging Systems - Live Imaging
Press Contact for ZEISS Microscopy

Vybhav Sinha

Jena, Germany | 1 December 2020 | ZEISS Research Microscopy Solutions

With the release of ZEISS Lattice Lightsheet 7, ZEISS places a turn-key lattice light sheet instrument at the disposal of the life science research community. Based on the pioneering research and developments of Ernst H. K. Stelzer while at EMBL, Heidelberg, on light sheet technology and of Nobel laureate Eric Betzig while at the Janelia Research Campus of HHMI on structuring light sheets as optical lattices to render them thinner and longer, ZEISS Lattice Lightsheet 7 is tailored to observing cellular processes within cells and small organisms in 3D over extended time periods – all at subcellular resolution – with the minimum light dosage. Combined with full environmental control and an extremely stable optical setup, ZEISS Lattice Lightsheet 7 allows researchers to observe living specimens for hours or days.

“Lattice light sheet microscopy excels in a broad spectrum of live cell imaging applications as it provides high volume speeds with subcellular resolution and minimized light impact. Previously, however, lattice light sheet systems were reserved for experts,” says Klaus Weisshart, product manager at ZEISS. “The alignment and calibration of such systems required a physicist in the lab. Sample mounting as well as locating was not an easy task. ZEISS Lattice Lightsheet 7 overcomes these obstacles with ingenious technical implementations. I, as a biologist, can handle the system with ease, even without in-depth knowledge of the physics behind it.”

  • ZEISS Lattice Lightsheet 7: Long-term volumetric imaging of living specimens at subcellular resolution

    ZEISS Lattice Lightsheet 7: Long-term volumetric imaging of living specimens at subcellular resolution

  • ZEISS Lattice Lightsheet 7: Live cell imaging at high spatiotemporal resolution on standard sample carriers

    ZEISS Lattice Lightsheet 7: Live cell imaging at high spatiotemporal resolution on standard sample carriers

Calibration and alignment of the system fully automized

ZEISS Lattice Lightsheet 7 comes with a special structured light sheet, a so-called sinc3 beam. Calibration and alignment of the system runs fully automized in a matter of minutes. It also provides flexibility in generating light sheets of different lengths and thicknesses, all of which are available with just a click; thus, switching to the sheet that best suits the sample is very easy. Lattice light sheet generation is done by an exceptionally light-efficient beam shaping system using a spatial light modulator (SLM); only moderate laser powers are required. With its specification as a laser class 2 system and its small footprint, ZEISS Lattice Lightsheet 7 will find a space in any laboratory.

The true heart of the system is its core optics. “Since we had standard cell culture glass bottom dishes and multiwell formats in mind for use with the system, we implemented the idea of Yuichi Taniguchi from RIKEN, now Professor at the Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences, Kyoto University, of an inverted configuration for our light sheet instrument,” explains Kirstin Elgass, ZEISS application engineer for 3D imaging solutions. The illumination and detection optics are arranged perpendicular like in classical light sheet set ups and at an oblique angle to the surface of the sample carrier’s cover glass. This is possible thanks to specially designed high-end optics. In this arrangement, the full numerical aperture of the detection objective lens is available. Resolutions of up to 290 nm x 290 nm x 450 nm can be achieved at an acquisition speed of up to 3 volumes per second, including standard sample preparation. The available transmitted light with its intrinsic contrast renders focusing on the experiment a simple task. With ZEISS Lattice Lightsheet 7, life science researchers can enjoy volumetric imaging at its best.

ZEISS has co-exclusively licensed patent rights from EMBLEM. ZEISS has also concluded exclusive patent license agreements with HHMI Janelia Research Campus and Lattice Light LLC as well as with RIKEN.

About ZEISS

ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the fields of optics and optoelectronics. In the previous fiscal year, the ZEISS Group generated annual revenue totaling more than 6.4 billion euros in its four segments Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology and Consumer Markets (status: 30 September 2019).

For its customers, ZEISS develops, produces and distributes highly innovative solutions for industrial metrology and quality assurance, microscopy solutions for the life sciences and materials research, and medical technology solutions for diagnostics and treatment in ophthalmology and microsurgery. The name ZEISS is also synonymous with the world's leading lithography optics, which are used by the chip industry to manufacture semiconductor components. There is global demand for trendsetting ZEISS brand products such as eyeglass lenses, camera lenses and binoculars.

With a portfolio aligned with future growth areas like digitalization, healthcare and Smart Production and a strong brand, ZEISS is shaping the future of technology and constantly advancing the world of optics and related fields with its solutions. The company's significant, sustainable investments in research and development lay the foundation for the success and continued expansion of ZEISS' technology and market leadership.

With over 31,000 employees, ZEISS is active globally in almost 50 countries with around 60 sales and service companies, 30 production sites and 25 development sites. Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. The Carl Zeiss Foundation, one of the largest foundations in Germany committed to the promotion of science, is the sole owner of the holding company, Carl Zeiss AG.

Further information at www.zeiss.com

  

ZEISS Research Microscopy Solutions

ZEISS Research Microscopy Solutions is the world's only one-stop manufacturer of light, electron, X-ray and ion microscope systems and offers solutions for correlative microscopy. The portfolio comprises of products and services for life sciences, materials and industrial research, as well as education and clinical practice. The unit is headquartered in Jena. Additional production and development sites are located in Oberkochen and Munich, as well as in Cambourne (UK) and Dublin (USA). ZEISS Research Microscopy Solutions is part of the Industrial Quality & Research segment.

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  • ZEISS Lattice Lightsheet 7

    Live cell imaging at high spatiotemporal resolution on standard sample carriers

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    File size: 794 KB
  • ZEISS Lattice Lightsheet 7

    Long-term volumetric imaging of living specimens at subcellular resolution

    Pages: 1
    File size: 740 KB

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