GAIA Point-Rescanning Confocal Microscopy - GAIA6

GAIA Point-Rescanning Confocal Microscopy - GAIA1

GAIA Point-Rescanning Confocal Microscopy - GAIA8

GAIA Point-Rescanning Confocal Microscopy

GAIA | Point-Rescanning Confocal Super-Resolution Microscopy

Modality

Laser-Scanning Confocal Microscopy

Configuration

Confocal & Widefield / Inverted & Upright

Resolution

120 nm (deconvolved) / 180 nm (raw)

Sensitivity

95% QE (@ 550 nm)

FOV

330 x 330 µm (@ 40x)

Speed

3 fps (@ 512 x 512)

GAIA point-rescanning confocal microscope, in a nutshell

Thanks to its patented rescanning confocal technology, GAIA point rescanning confocal is a super-resolution microscope enabling deep live cell imaging beyond the diffraction limit using only nanowatts of power. GAIA point-rescan is available in two versions, streamlined GAIA α and flagship GAIA λ.

GAIA point-rescanning confocal microscope, in more details

Imaging wide in super-resolution

In laser rescanning confocal microscopy, the magnification of the image and the spot are decoupled. Thus, one can magnify the image compared to the spot. In RCM, we do this by giving the rescanners a larger amplitude than the scanners. As a consequence, all the details in the image are pulled further apart and the image is in super-resolution. However, this does not give infinite improvement in resolution. It turns out that the optimal situation is provided by twice as large rescan amplitudes, which improves the resolution by 1.4x.

In GAIA, instead of magnifying the image (through rescanning with higher amplitude), we demagnify the excitation and emission spot. Thanks to this revolutionary redesign of the rescan technology, GAIA provides more than double the field of view in the sample plane compared to its predecessor (RCM1 and RCM2). As a consequence, GAIA enables super-resolution imaging over a large field of view and using a wide range of objectives (30x -100x). For the best images high NA objectives are a must.

Imaging deep in super-resolution

Combination of low laser power requirements, high sensitivity of the detector and a novel optical design present in GAIA point rescan, enables super-resolution beyond 500 μm of depth. This makes GAIA point rescan confocal a perfect solution for super-resolution imaging of thick specimens like cleared tissue, whole zebrafish embryos, organoids and spheroids.

Imaging live in super-resolution

GAIA point rescan confocal is also ideal for live cell super-resolution imaging thanks to its very low photo-toxicity. The very low photo-toxicity of GAIA is attributed to two important factors:

In traditional point-scanning confocal microscopy, high resolution is achieved by closing down the pinhole, reducing the number of photons collected by the detector. GAIA, like its predecessors RCM1 and RCM2, has the ability to achieve super-resolution while still using a large pinhole, thereby collecting more light.
The sCMOS and qCMOS cameras used in point rescanning confocal microscopy have much higher quantum efficiency than typical PMT detectors used in traditional point-scanning confocal microscopy, hence offering much higher sensitivity. This is illustrated by the curves below.

Detectors Sensitivity Comparison

Imaging versatility in super-resolution

GAIA point rescanning confocal is the first system of its family to use a motorized switchable pinhole that enables perfect confocality for a wide range of objectives (4x up to 100x). For proper super-resolution, one should use high NA objectives.

Optical Specifications
Model	GAIAα	GAIAλ
Detector	Camera	Camera
Lateral Resolution (raw)	180 nm	180 nm
Lateral Resolution (after deconvolution)	120 nm	120 nm
Quantum Efficiency (@ 550 nm)	95%	95%
Field of View (@ 40x)	330 µm x 330 µm	330 µm x 330 µm
Wavelength Range	400 - 1,100 nm	400 - 1,100 nm
Pinhole	Fixed (1 position)	Motorized (5 positions)
Emission Filters	Fixed (Quad-band)	Motorized (6 positions)

Temporal & Frame Rate Specifications
Model	GAIAα	GAIAλ
2048 x 2048	0.15 fps	0.15 fps
1024 x 1024	0.5 fps	0.5 fps
512 x 512	3 fps	3 fps
256 x 256 (Sprint Mode)	30 fps	30 fps

Software Compatibility
Model	GAIAα	GAIAλ
Micro-Manager	✅	✅
Microvolution	✅	✅
SVI Huygens	✅	✅

Mechanical, Electrical & Environmental Specifications
Model	GAIAα	GAIAλ
Digital Interface	USB3	USB3
Microscope Interface	C-mount	C-mount
Widefield Compatibility	✅ (Motorized bypass)	✅ (Motorized bypass)
Filter Wheel Compatibility	🚫	✅
Dimensions (L x W x H, mm)	556 x 377 x 146	556 x 377 x 146
Weight	20 kg	20 kg

Applications of GAIA point-rescanning confocal microscopy:

Fast Cell Dynamics

Better visualization and analysis of thin and dynamic structures even with dim signals
Study fast cell dynamics with very low phototoxicity
- Cell migration
- Intra/extra-cellular transport
- Cell signaling

Live Cell Imaging

Imaging happy cells and organisms for more than a day
Long-term live cell imaging in gentle conditions
Low phototoxicity and bleaching
- Developmental biology
- Regeneration
- Immunology

Deep 3D Imaging

One slit pinhole for better images in deeper frames
Organoids
Zebrafish/mouse embryos
3D culture with hydrogels

Images acquired with GAIA point-rescanning confocal microscope:

Convallaria autofluorescence (488 & 561 nm), 30x 1.05NA (silicone), 38 µm pinhole
Cells labeled for nuclei (DAPI), TOMM20 (488), Tubulin (561) & Actin (640), 100x 1.5NA (oil), 89 µm pinhole
Pollen autofluorescence (405 & 488 nm), 100x 1.5NA (oil), 89 µm pinhole, maximum intensity projection (130 µm Z-stack)

Brochures & Datasheet

GAIA Brochure

White Papers:

Outstanding deep 3D imaging and long term live cell imaging performance

Software compatible with GAIA point-rescanning confocal microscope:

Acquisition Software:

Both GAIAα and GAIAλ are compatible with Micro-Manager software for acquisition.

Deconvolution Software:

Both GAIAα and GAIAλ are compatible with Microvolution and SVI Huygens software for deconvolution.

Options for GAIA point-rescanning confocal microscope:

GAIAα and GAIAλ are confocal add-ons. To get a fully functional system a microscope stand, a camera, and a laser launch are required. Below is a non-exhaustive list of devices compatible with GAIA systems.

Microscope Stands:

Leica DMi8
Nikon TE2000
Nikon Ti-U & Ti-E
Nikon Ti2-U & Ti2-E</li>
Olympus IX71 & IX81
Olympus IX73 & IX83
Zeiss Axio Observer.Z1

Cameras:

Hamamatsu ORCA-Flash4.0 LT+, LT3 & V3
Hamamatsu ORCA-Fusion & Fusion BT
Hamamatsu ORCA-Lightning
Hamamatsu ORCA-Fire & ORCA-Quest

Laser Combiners:

Oxxius L4Cc & L6Cc

Description

GAIA point-rescanning confocal microscope super-resolution, in a nutshell