Project

quantitative fluorescence; CLSM; 3D cell cultures; biointerface research; combined measurements; neural networks

Lead
This project is about the purchase of state-of-the-art Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope which is an indispensable tool for research at the interface between biological molecules and cells and opto-electronic devices. It will be used to investigate original scientific questions and address new technological challenges in the following areas:  - Fabrication of small neuron networks with defined topology;- Developing 3D microtissues for drug discovery and fundamental neurosciences;- 3D printing of cells;- Novel biosensing concepts for small sample analysis and cell culture monitoring.
Lay summary
Mithilfe der Features des modernen konfokalen Laserscan-Mikroskopes werden wir in der Lage sein, dreidimensionale Mikroskopiebilder von neuronalen Netzwerken auf Nitrocellulose („Papier-Neuronen“) und in Hydrogels zu erstellen, Experimente in Mikrotiterplatten durchzuführen und zweidimensionale Biomolekül- und Zell-Anordnungen quantitativ zu beurteilen. Das neue System stellt eine ideale Platform dar für Experimente, in welchen einzigartige Tools in unserem Labor in einem System kombiniert werden (z.B. FluidFM und chemische Stimulation von Neuronen) und auf diese Weise sichern wir uns eine Intensivierung von Kollaborations-Projekten mit externen Nutzern unserer Systeme. Wir befinden uns im aktiven Austausch mit Professoren an schweizer Universitäten und mit mehreren schweizer Start-Up Firmen, mit welchen wir folgende Versuche mit dem neuen Instrument planen: - Single-Cell Studien bezügl. mechanisch-induzierter Spaltung von Mitochondrien - Entwicklung von 3D Mikrogewebe mit heterogenen Zelltypen für die Pharma-Forschung und Grundlagenforschung in der Biologie - Entwicklung einer neuen Art von Biosensoren mit 2D und 3D Rezeptorenanordnung Das neue CLSM System wird uns demnach nicht nur auf unserer Suche nach einem besseren Verständnis für die grundsätzliche Logik im Gehirn unterstützen, sondern auch mehrere Anwendungs-orientierte Projekte ermöglichen in den Bereichen Tissue Engineering, Bioelektronik und Biosensorik.

Direct link to Lay Summary

Last update: 23.03.2017

Active participation

Number	Title	Start	Funding scheme

The proposed state-of-the-art Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy is an indispensable tool for research at the interface between biological molecules and cells and opto-electronic devices. In the recent years, we have carried out promising proof of principle experiments in a variety of topics and now we would like to acquire the proposed CLSM to investigate original scientific questions and address new technological challenges in the following areas: - Fabrication of small neuron networks with defined topology (SNF);- Developing 3D microtissues for drug discovery and fundamental neurosciences (CTI);- 3D printing of cells (CTI);- Novel biosensing concepts for small sample analysis and cell culture monitoring (ETH, Roche).Nonetheless, the corresponding daily experiments are currently hindered by the technical limita-tions of our present systems (e.g., unstable x-y positioning, lack of reliable autofocus and stitching routines, no z-compensation for illumination intensities).Therefore, we are asking for a state-of-the-art CLSM system with the following benefits:- Larger field of view thanks to drastically improved x-y stage stability, more reliable and flexi-ble automation, better stitching possibilities in the new software;- 5-10 times faster acquisition speed thanks to new scanners;- Possibility of long-term experiments due to more reliable and flexible automation, laser-guided autofocus and more stable illumination;- Higher quality of 3D images thanks to automated z compensation of illumination intensity, better deconvolution algorithms and new high NA, long-distance objectives Taking advantage of these improvements, we will be then e.g. able to image 3D paper-based neuron networks and hydrogel-embedded cells (thanks to z compensation); to perform experiments in microtiter plates (due to the better autofocus and enhanced speed); to characterize 2D biomolecule and cell patterns in a quantitative fashion (thanks to the more reliable automation, better image quality and stitching).The new system will provide an ideal platform for combined experiments with various unique tools available at LBB assuring intensification of collaboration with external users. We are in active contact with professors from ETH and Swiss universities and with Swiss start-up companies to perform novel experiments for:- Single cell biology to investigate mechanically induced fission in mitochondria;- Developing 3D microtissues of heterogeneous cell types towards drug discovery technology applications and fundamental biology;- Developing new biosensing modalities that use 2D or 3D patterns of receptors.