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Super-resolution microscopy across all scales and applications

To help researchers unlock the full potential of structured illumination microscopy (SIM), two new systems will join the established super-resolution microscope ZEISS Elyra 7 to create a new Lattice SIM product family.

Like ZEISS Elyra 7, the new members of the product family – ZEISS Lattice SIM 3 and ZEISS Lattice SIM 5 – use structured illumination to overcome the physical resolution limits of light microscopy. Each system has implemented this technology to address specific fields of application. The product family thus offers better access to super-resolution imaging for a wider range of applications, from outstanding optical sectioning of tissues and developing organisms to high-speed imaging of living cells to resolution excellence at the molecular level.

Structured illumination microscopy (SIM)

Unlike conventional structured illumination techniques, the ZEISS implementation of SIM uses a lattice spot pattern instead of grid lines. This leads to a dramatic increase in imaging speed, higher contrast, and half as much light exposure – making Lattice SIM a preferred live cell imaging technique. In addition, the microscopes of the ZEISS Lattice SIM family employ the SIM Apotome technology for fast, high-resolution optical sectioning of larger samples, such as cell culture models, organoids, and developing organisms. The revolutionary SIM² image reconstruction algorithm provides the additional benefit of a doubled SIM resolution. Making specific use of these technical principles, each product in the family has its own application focus.

 
Understand cellular behavior and inter-cellular dynamics

ZEISS Lattice SIM 3 is specifically designed to meet the imaging requirements of multicellular organisms and tissue sections. This system exploits the full potential of the SIM Apotome technology: fast optical sectioning at superior quality, large fields of view with access to smaller regions of interest, near-isotropic resolution, and the gentlest super-resolution imaging possible.

 
Observe the vibrant sub-organelle network of life

ZEISS Lattice SIM 5 has been optimized for single cell imaging as well as capturing subcellular structures and their fast dynamics. Utilizing the Lattice SIM technology and the SIM² image reconstruction algorithm to its fullest capabilities, ZEISS Lattice SIM 5 provides researchers with outstanding super-resolution down to 60 nm in both living and fixed cells.

 
Reveal life across scales – down to molecular details

ZEISS Elyra 7 includes several microscopy techniques: Lattice SIM², SIM² Apotome, single molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) and total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF). Users can combine these techniques for deeper insights from their specimen and to correlate the acquired data. With its focus on SMLM, ZEISS Elyra 7 provides resolution excellence down to the molecular level, enabling molecular quantification and the study of molecular interactions.

With the ZEISS Lattice SIM product family, researchers can now address their specific experimental requirements much more precisely by balancing sample size, imaging speed, and super-resolution capabilities according to the needs of their applications. These are the newest imaging tools enabling scientists for discoveries in organoid research, cell biology, developmental biology, neuroscience, immunology and pharma research.

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About ZEISS

ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the fields of optics and optoelectronics. In the previous fiscal year, the ZEISS Group generated annual revenue totaling 8.8 billion euros in its four segments Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology and Consumer Markets (status: 30 September 2022).

For its customers, ZEISS develops, produces and distributes highly innovative solutions for industrial metrology and quality assurance, microscopy solutions for the life sciences and materials research, and medical technology solutions for diagnostics and treatment in ophthalmology and microsurgery. The name ZEISS is also synonymous with the world's leading lithography optics, which are used by the chip industry to manufacture semiconductor components. There is global demand for trendsetting ZEISS brand products such as eyeglass lenses, camera lenses and binoculars.

With a portfolio aligned with future growth areas like digitalization, healthcare and Smart Production and a strong brand, ZEISS is shaping the future of technology and constantly advancing the world of optics and related fields with its solutions. The company's significant, sustainable investments in research and development lay the foundation for the success and continued expansion of ZEISS' technology and market leadership. ZEISS invests 13 percent of its revenue in research and development – this high level of expenditure has a long tradition at ZEISS and is also an investment in the future.

With over 40,000 employees, ZEISS is active globally in almost 50 countries with around 30 production sites, 60 sales and service companies and 27 research and development facilities (status: 31 March 2023). Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. The Carl Zeiss Foundation, one of the largest foundations in Germany committed to the promotion of science, is the sole owner of the holding company, Carl Zeiss AG.

ZEISS Research Microscopy Solutions

ZEISS Research Microscopy Solutions is the leading provider of light, electron, X-ray microscope systems, correlative microscopy and software solutions leveraging AI technologies. The portfolio comprises of products and services for life sciences, materials and industrial research, as well as education and clinical routine applications. The unit is headquartered in Jena. Additional production and development sites are located in Germany, UK, USA and China. ZEISS Research Microscopy Solutions is part of the Industrial Quality & Research segment.

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