A Collaboration in Advanced Microscopy Technologies
Leica Microsystems and Fred Hutch collaborated to establish the first Leica Center of Excellence, or CoE, in the Pacific Northwest. The Leica CoE provides researchers with advanced microscopy technologies, while supporting Fred Hutch’s commitment to generating scientific discoveries and developing new approaches to preventing and treating cancer and related diseases.
Through the Leica CoE, start-ups and researchers working with Fred Hutch Shared Resources can access Leica’s newest technologies, training, and engineers for troubleshooting and customization. The CoE gives researchers the opportunity to participate in product beta-testing, and scientists who develop appropriate new technology or techniques have access to high-level product and R&D management to explore possible collaboration and/or commercialization.
The Leica CoE at Fred Hutch helps researchers continue to drive innovation in the microscopy field.
Collaboration Benefits
- Access for scientists to cutting-edge imaging tools
- Training courses and expert technical support for scientists
- Maximized efficiency, utilization and instrument up-time
- Extension to life of existing equipment (including third-party components)
- Showcase for the local microscopy community
- Platform for testing new ideas and prototypes of products
- Improved efficiency in product demonstrations
- Potential to beta-test Leica systems and instruments
The Science Lab is the knowledge portal of Leica Microsystems and offers scientific research and teaching material on the subjects of microscopy. The content is designed to support beginners, experienced practitioners and scientists alike in their everyday work and experiments. Users can use it to explore interactive tutorials and application notes, discover the basics of microscopy as well as high-end-technologies.
Shared Resource Instruments
The Leica TCS SP8 in the Cellular Imaging shared resource gives you the freedom to conveniently perform any advanced live cell imaging method with reliable results. You can expect the highest image quality and specimen viability from its light-efficient detection and high-speed scanning system. With the exclusive White Light Laser, which covers the full spectrum of visible light, you have full flexibility for your multicolor experiments. Study nanoscopic detail with STED super-resolution, and add a new dimension of fluorescence lifetime data to your experiments with FALCON and Tau-STED FLIM-based imaging.
Based on the modular Leica DMi8 inverted microscope platform for routine to advanced live cell imaging, the Instant SIM, or iSIM, system (provided through BioVision Technologies) delivers a capture rate of 30-50 frames per second and 140 nm XY super-resolution capability. This system in the Cellular Imaging shared resource includes photo-activation and photo-ablation capabilities to address a wide variety of live cell applications.
Laser microdissection, or LMD — also known as laser capture microdissection or LCM — enables you to isolate regions of interest from entire areas of tissue down to single cells or even subcellular structures such as chromosomes. Researchers in neurology, cancer research, plant analysis and climate research rely on this method. The Leica CoE’s LMD6 system in the Experimental Histopathology shared resource includes a new LMT stage capable of 96-well laser capture for genomics or proteomics analysis.
This fully motorized DMi8 imaging system in the Experimental Histopathology shared resource with phase, brightfield and fluorescence capability includes a scanning stage and Leica LAS X Navigator software with a four-slide holder for histology and fluorescence stage scanning. Navigator is a powerful tool that performs like GPS for your cells, allowing you to quickly create sample overviews and locate regions of interest for automated high-resolution image acquisition.