Precision from the total picture down to the smallest detail
Living up to Life
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Studying Nature's Clues
In modern developmental, molecular and cell biology, fluorescence technologies play a critical
role in functional research of organisms and provide the researcher with enormous potential
for gaining insight into a world that is usually hidden to the human eye. Complex genetic studies
and cellular examinations of suitable model organisms are the prerequisites for understanding
the molecular basis and complex correlations of life.
In many respects, the development, cell biology and physiology of the mouse are very similar to
those of the human being. The mouse is therefore an ideal biological model for in-vivo studies
that explore the causes of disease in humans and develop new therapeutic approaches. Cell
and developmental biology are increasingly focused on understanding complex interrelationships in the organism. Therefore, a flexible microscope system is required that enables the
causes of disease to be examined on living animal models with maximum precision and resolution in an intensely fluorescent image field and to be captured in digital images.
The Leica MacroFluo
large working distances, parallax-free and precise imaging – with fluorescence technology at
high resolution. The Leica MacroFluo™ provides brilliant images with maximum image precision
and depth of information over a wide magnification range to capture all aspects of the complete
image.
™
concept combines the advantages of macroscopy – large object fields,
➊Zebrafish embryo. GFP expression with control of Sonic hedgehog
gene-regulatory sequences. GFP expression in anterior baseplate
and notochord. Prof. Dr. Uwe Strahle, Research Center Karlsruhe,
Germany and Cédric Vonesch, Imaging Centre IGBMC, Illkirch,
France
➋ – ➐ Expression of green fluorescence in an EGFP (Enhanced Green
Fluorescent Protein) transgenic mouse, Dr. Massimo Pasqualetti,
Università di Pisa and Dr. Filippo Rijli, Imaging Centre IGBMC, Illkirch,
France
Special thanks to Jean Luc Vonesch and Didier Hentsch of the Insti-
tut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC),
Illkirch, France for their close cooperation in developing the Leica
MacroFluo
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™
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➊
➌➍➋
➏➐➎
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When Excellence Meets
Brilliance
Parallax-free documentation
• Precise imaging of macroscopic
specimens from the total picture
down to the smallest detail
• Detail-accurate analysis and 3D view
From macro to micro
• Apochromatically corrected manual
or motorized 6:1 and 16:1 zoom systems for optimum adaptability
• 6:1 zoom with high numerical aper-
ture for optimum light efficiency
• 16:1 zoom enables a wide range of
research tasks to be carried out with
just one microscope
• Optimal imaging of your specimens
with a wide selection of high-quality
objectives
With its consistently modular design, the
Leica MacroFluo
adaptation to the task for precise imaging of
all aspects of macroscopic specimens.
Parallax-free fluorescence macroscopy
While in stereomicroscopy, changing the Z
position of the observer is associated with a
parallax error (an apparent lateral shift of the
specimen when acquiring z-stacks), the Leica
MacroFluo™ combines macroscopic viewing
with a vertical beam path typical of microscopes. This enables parallax-free images
with simultaneously large working distances
and object fields with a maximum of precision.
The result is much greater accuracy in digital image processing, analysis and measurements.
Leica MacroFluo™ Z6 APO (A) – high macroresolution and powerful fluorescence
The Leica Z6 APO (A) is available as a fully
apochromatically corrected manual or motorized 6.3:1 zoom body, which, depending on the
objective equipment, can reach a macro resolution from 351 lp/mm (planapochromat 1×) up
to 1500 lp / mm (planapochromat 5× HR) and
thus can resolve specimens up to a structural
width of 330 nm. The wide range of planapochromatically corrected objectives creates
sufficient free room for specimen manipulation and, due to the high numerical aperture, enables high-performance fluorescence
documentation at low magnification.
™
system enables individual
Motorization of the zoom, iris diaphragm and
built-in fine focus and the new motorized focus make it easy to automate experiment procedures. Results can be reproduced at any
time.
Leica MacroFluo™ Z16 APO (A) –
fluorescence analysis at the highest level
The Leica Z16 APO (A) is available as a manual and a motorized instrument. With the large
zoom range from 7.1× to 115× (planapochromat 1×), fluorescent specimens up to a structural width of 330 nm (planapochromat 5×
HR) can be observed and documented. Thus
the Z16 APO (A) permits the study of clearly
contoured overviews of chicken embryos and
neural systems, but also selected details such
as the expression of proteins at high magnification and resolution.
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Brilliant fluorescence images,
rich in detail and contrast
• Coupling of illumination and zoom
optics – maximum light efficiency and
uniformly illuminated object fields
• Filters individually matched to your
specimens – maximum flexibility in
selecting fluorescent dyes
• Specimen-optimized transmission
properties and filters with Zero Pixel
Shift – for pin-sharp images
Adjustment-free light sources –
the best light for your specimens
• Leica EL6000: Uniformly illuminated
object fields with software-controlled
shutter control for documenting
image series
• Leica SFL100: Durable, cost-effective
and compact LED illuminator with
adjustable light intensity for optimum
image quality
• Leica SFL4000: 5 LED modules that
can be combined as desired for specific excitation of fluorochromes –
high light efficiency for high-contrast
images with simultaneously low
phototoxicity
Powerful, Even with
Weak Fluorescence
Fluorescence without compromises
The Leica MacroFluo™ is equipped with a high-quality fluorescence axis that ensures an optimum light stream and thus the greatest brightness and homogeneity. Up to five filter blocks can
be inserted into the easy-to-rotate turret disk. The illumination is coupled into the zoom optics.
This guarantees precise illumination, maximum light efficiency, and homogenous object fields
at any zoom position.
Filter your specimens for best results
New fluorescent dyes and staining methods are continually opening new possibilities for the
study of development stages, reactions, signal transduction and metabolic pathways. For this
purpose, the wide range of Leica filter blocks can be expanded even further by adding individualized filter block combinations to ensure optimum transmission properties for almost any
application. With Zero Pixel Shift technology, when the filter blocks are switched, no undesirable pixel shifts occur between the individual images of the different spectral ranges – an ideal
prerequisite for digital multicolor fluorescence experiments.
Let there be light
With the Leica EL6000, Leica Microsystems offers an external light source equipped with a
long-life metal halide lamp – a cost-effective and time-saving alternative to mercury vapor
lamps. Furthermore, the available Leica SFL100 is a compact, cost-effective LED fluorescence
illuminator that enables optimum excitation at 470 nm with adjustable light intensity. For easily
combining different wavelengths in multi-fluorescence experiments, the Leica SFL4000 offers
five high-performance fluorescence modules, which can be controlled via an intuitive user interface. All light sources listed here enable adjustment-free adaptation to the microscope and
thus guarantee uniformly illuminated, high-contrast fluorescence images: the best light for your
research.
➊ – ➌ Chicken with GFP expression in the wing. Institut Albert Bonniot,
Grenoble, France
➍Transgenic mouse with GFP expression. Dr. Daniel Metzger,
Prof. Pierre Chambon, Imaging Centre IGBMC, Illkirch, France
➎ – ➏ Zebrafish. View of polarization contrast in false colors. Imaging
Centre IGBMC, Illkirch, France
➐Zebrafish larva. CD41-GFP expression in thrombocytes. Time-lapse
image of thrombocyte circulation to illustrate the vascular system.
Dr. Philippe Herbomel, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
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➎
➏
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Equipped for Future Tasks
Motorized focus and SmartTouch
focus made 100% reproducible by control using the
Leica LAS software
™
: reliable, precise
Solid basis for your research
Advanced documentation, particularly of fine details, requires
a solid basis. The design of the new focusing column and the
carrier of the fluorescence axis reliably absorbs shocks and
vibrations. This prevents impairment of image quality even
when obeserving specimens in liquid medium.
The high-quality mechanical engineering of the coarse/fine
focus adjustment enables convenient, uniform focusing and
enables accurate adjustment of the focus position at all times,
even in the micrometer range. With the new Leica motorized
focus, you can focus on your specimen not only quickly and
precisely, but also reproducibly. The motorized focus of the Z
series makes parallax-free and accurate documentation as
easy as child's play.
Objective slide (here, with 2× and 5× objective): convenient extension of the range of applications by simply
toggling between the required magnifications
Supreme performance for your research
With the wide range of planapochromatically corrected objectives and the ability to adapt DM objectives, the Leica MacroFluo™ provides enormous flexibility with regard to magnification and working distance. In particular, the high-performance
5× planapochromatic objective enables brilliant, true-to-detail
reproduction of your research results with a numerical aperture of 0.5 and a resolution of 1500 lp/mm. The objective slide
for manual zooming allows you to combine the 2× and 5× planapochromat objectives to conveniently expand the range of
applications. From low magnification to fine details – the Leica
MacroFluo™ offers high-performance converging lenses for
brilliant fluorescence with sufficient free room for specimen
manipulation.
Binocular photo tube with image correction: easy handling and accurate adjustment of the image section for
documentation
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The basis for successful documentation
Leica Microsystems offers you a selection of powerful transmitted-light bases that always present your specimens in the
best light, with brightfield illumination with high or low diffusion, oblique transmitted-light illumination, and darkfield. The
Rottermann Relief contrast method also ensures excellent display, even of unstained living cells.
The optional gliding stage ensures the necessary sensitivity
when positioning specimens. Furthermore, the integration of
the motorized Leica IsoPro™ stage enables you to carry out
multiposition experiments accurately, all the way to TileScan
for particularly large specimens. The Leica MATS Thermocontrol System with a heated specimen stage made of optical
glass provides gentle, absolutely uniform temperature across
the entire stage surface. This temperature stability over long
periods lets you perform time-lapse experiments on temperature-sensitive specimens with precision.
Investment for the future
In multiuser environments, adaptability is an important characteristic for satisfying all the requirements posed by various
fields of research. Particularly in this regard, the MacroFluo™
system is an investment that will pay off in the long run. Thanks
to the modular design, a complete range of accessories for
manual and motorized zoom systems is available for you to
choose from.
Leica TL bases: whether simple transmitted light, oblique
illumination or relief contrast – the Leica bases allow you
to get the best out of your specimens.
Automated specimen scans are child's play with the
™
IsoPro
motorized cross-stage
Leica SmartTouch™: easy control and overview of the
motorized microscope functions via touch panel and
individually programmable control buttons
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Well-conceived and Customized
System Solutions
Integrated complete solution
In the Leica Application Suite (LAS), automated microscopes,
digital cameras and software are combined to create one
user-friendly, consistent imaging solution. Versatility and a
consistent, modular construction mean that you have enormous flexibility in building your microscope system, which in
turn is perfectly adapted to your applications. Thus LAS is an
intuitive solution that makes both routine and research analysis easier.
Leica MM AF
Leica MM AF powered by MetaMorph® is available as an
MM AF online version for image processing and analysis and
as a complete software package for image acquisition and
analysis. The latter offers the highest flexibility and versatility in integrating the microscope, peripherals and camera for
multidimensional image acquisition, processing and analysis.
Optional modules such as 3D deconvolution or 3D measurements as well as various application modules for automatic
fluorescence analysis provide you with everything you need
to adapt the microscope system to the requirements of your
research.
Screenshots from the Leica LAS and MM AF powered by Metamorph®
(from top to bottom):
LAS Multifocus module: Drosophila melanogaster. Compound eye.
Dr. Tricoire, Institut Jacques Monod, Université de Paris, France
Leica MM AF 3D motion analysis: Trajectories of five identified
particles. Prof. Marianne Quiding-Järbrink, Department of Microbiology and
Immunology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Leica MM AF 3D motion analysis: Graphic display of the analysis
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The expert in fluorescence applications
Leica Microsystems has cooperated with leading scientists
to develop the Leica AF6000, an exceptionally ergonomic fluorescence software program. The intuitive operating concept
guides you reliably and easily to brilliant results. In combination with the motorized MacroFluo™ zoom modules, the Leica
AF6000 E is an entry-level software program that enables easy
documentation, image overlay and time-lapse images.
The modular design of the software means that you can add
to your system at any time as your needs grow and change.
Thus the Leica AF6000 fulfills additional requirements of fluorescence applications: The software-controlled EL6000 shutter control allows manual multichannel fluorescence with time
and Z series. The integration of the motorized Leica IsoPro™
cross-stage enables multi-position experiments and TileScanning as well as optional WellPlate acquisition.
A wide variety of functions for image documentation, quantification, optimization and analysis can be expanded by adding
software options such as 3D reconstruction of image information or deconvolution. Thus the MacroFluo™ becomes an integrated microscope system that is capable of growing along
with your research requirements.
Screenshots from the Leica AF6000 software
(from top to bottom)
AF6000: Image gallery in acquisition mode
AF6000: TileScan in configuration mode
AF6000: WellPlate acquisition module in configuration mode
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“With the user, for the user”
Leica Microsystems
The statement by Ernst Leitz in 1907, “with the user, for the user,” describes the fruitful collaboration
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