The Advanced Digital Microscopy (ADM) Core Facility provides a complete range of light microscopy imaging systems and techniques to both internal and external users, and offers full-time access to state-of-the-art conventional and laser-based microscopes, as well as assistance in advanced imaging techniques for image processing, data interpretation and presentation.

ADM also offers access to custom optical instruments and Image Processing and Analysis training. In partnership with the Barcelona Science Park (PCB), the facility provides full-time access to:

• Conventional transmission and epifluorescence microscopy and motorised fluorescence macroscopy. Bright field, phase contrast, differential interference contrast (DIC), dark field and multiple colour fluorescence imaging of fixed samples. Fluorescence stereoscopy for sample manipulation and select on, extended focus imaging.

  The facility has six units for inverted epifluorescence (Nikon TE200), upright epifluorescence (Nikon E600, E800, E1000),fluorescence stereoscopy (Leica MZ16 F) and fluorescence Macroscopy (Olympus MVX10).

• Spectral confocal microscopy. 3D, 4D and 5D imaging with optical sectioning, custom spectral detection and resolution, multiple position and incubated environment control for living cells.

  The facility has three units: Inverted confocal (Leica SP5, Leica SP2) and upright confocal (Leica TCS SPE).

• Multiphoton microscopy. Deep fluorescence imaging and multiphoton applications. Tailored on the Leica SP5 with an ultrashort pulsed IR laser, also with special 25x/0.95W lens.

• Spinning disk confocal microscopy. Fast 5D imaging with the Andor Revolution system, equipped with Electron Multiplying Charge Coupled Device (EMCCD) camera technology.

• Automated fluorescence Widefield Microscopy with High Content Screening and Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscope (TIRF).

  The facility has one unit: Olympus XCellence/ScanR. Fully automated inverted microscope for imaging wide areas, multiwell plates and multipositions. Automated live imaging with temperature incubation and CO2 control. Superstable fluorescence illumination for reproducible and high content image analysis. Total internal reflection microscopy: High contrast imaging at surfaces.

• Laser manipulation of living cells and organisms. Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP) and laser nanosurgery combined on a wide field fluorescence microscope to FRAP and fluorescence patterning, cell ablation, subcellular ablation and correlative microscopy. Laser extraction of prepared tissue sections, single cell or tissue area.

  The facility has two units: Zeiss Axiovert 200M, a custom platform developed at EMBL with spinning disk confocal unit, and an Olympus MMI Microdissector for tissue sections.

• LightSheet Microscopy: also called SPIM (for Selective Plane Illumination Microscopy), this new technique is now implemented in two custom versions at ADM: a ‘MacroSPIM’ for 3D imaging of full organs and tumours (cleared-transparent samples of size up to 1.5cm), and a high-resolution Live SPIM for 3D fast imaging of full embryos or multicellular organisms and structures.

• Microinjection: A single cell microinjector module from Eppendorf to microinject or micromanipulate cells. Usually installed on the spinning disk unit, it can be moved to another system.

• Imaging workstations: Image processing and analysis on 32- and 64-bit workstations equipped with Imaris (Bitplane), Leica LAS AF, Igor Pro, and custom ImageJ tailored solutions.