2
Confocal
Laser Scanning Microscopy
Having decoded the human genome, biomedical
research today is focused on exploring the interac-
tion between cellular components. Scientists want to
find out which protein is where, and at what time,
and what other structural and functional modules it
interacts with.
In the search for answers to these questions, imaging
systems based on the classical light microscope have
come to play an unprecedented role, thanks to many
technical innovations and a high degree of automa-
tion. Many experiments have only become possible
because of the new functions provided by modern
microscopes.
Triple staining of a primary culture
of a rat’s cortical neurons.
Nucleus: blue (DAPI),
Nestin: green (Cy2),
Doublecortin: red (Cy3).
Specimen: Dr. H. Braun, FAN GmbH,
Magdeburg, Germany.
Contents
High Resolution in Space and Time
3
The Confocal Principle
4
Two-Dimensional Images
6
Three-Dimensional Images
8
Time Series
10
Multifluorescence – The Crosstalk
Problem and Its Solution
12
Spectral Imaging
14
Courses
22
Summary
23
Literature / Links
24