Widefield Epifluorescence Inverted Microscope - RTI

The University is soliciting prospective proponents to submit proposals for a Widefield Epifluorescence Inverted Microscope.
A widefield epifluorescence inverted microscope is required for high-resolution imaging of a variety of samples. These include fixed samples of mammalian cells cultured on glass coverslips, cells cultured on thicker silicone-based substrates, tumour organoids in Matrigel, and hydrogel-embedded samples used for Expansion Microscopy. The system should be configured to enable live-cell imaging in the future using a stage-top incubation system.

Priority is given to the quality of the optics of the system to provide high-resolution epifluorescence microscopy. Optical sectioning is required and can be achieved through hardware or software-based (i.e. deconvolution) solutions. An anti-vibration table is not required.

MANDATORY TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

1.Microscope Stand
1.1The microscope must be in an Inverted configuration
1.2Must be compatible with stage-top incubation for live imaging
1.3Must have fully motorized light path control for transmitted and reflected light
1.5Must have a fully encoded and motorised objective nosepiece
1.6Must have a height adjustable condenser to provide clearance for incubation system

2Microscope Stage
2.1Stage must be Fully Motorized in X,Y, and Z dimensions

3.Light source and light path
3.1Must have an LED light source for transmitted light
3.2Must have an LED light source for fluorescence excitation

4.Emission Filter Sets:
4.1Must have a filter set appropriate for blue fluorophores (e.g. DAPI)
4.2Must have a filter set appropriate for green fluorophores (e.g. YFP, GFP, Alexa488, FITC fluorophores)
4.3Must have a filter set appropriate for red fluorophores (e.g. Rhodamine, TRITC, mCherry, Alexa594 fluorophores)
4.4Must have a filter set appropriate for additional red fluorophores (e.g. mCherry, Alexa594  fluorophores)
4.5Must have a filter set for Far Red fluorophores (e.g. Cy5, Alexa647)

5.Camera/Detection
5.1The camera must have an sCMOS sensor, minimum QE 85%
5.2The Minimum diagonal field of view must be 17mm

6.Objective Lenses
6.1All objective lenses must be Plan and Apochromatic corrected
6.2Must include one 20x objective lens, NA≥0.8
6.3Must include one 40x water immersion objective lens, NA≥1.15
6.4Must include one Oil immersion objective lens NA≥1.4
6.5Must have automatic parfocality between objectives
6.6Must have automatic paracentricity between objectives

7.Control Software
7.1All software must be Windows 11 compatible
7.2Full control of all experimental parameters must be included in one software package: exposure time, light path, light intensity, time lapse/course, Z-stacks, tiling.
7.3The ability to save all experimental settings for individual users for each of the parameters in 7.2 must be included.
7.4All metadata must be saved with the image.
7.5Tile stitching must be embedded in the controller software
7.63D deconvolution must be included in the control software, not offered as a separate or 3rd party package

8.Technical Support
8.1Must guarantee a response time of 48 hours maximum led by a specialist or an engineer.
8.2Must include onsite installation and training with a minimum of 1 year warranty.

Bidding and Documents are available on http://www.merx.com. Fees may apply; See https://www.merx.com/public/pricing for more information.