Super-Resolution Microscope N-STORM

Tenfold improvement of axial resolution up to 50nm

In addition to lateral super-resolution, N-STORM utilizes proprietary methods to achieve a tenfold enhancement in axial resolution over conventional light microscopes and provide nanoscale information in 3D.

The 3D-Stack function allows multiple 3D STORM images from different Z positions to be captured and stitched into one image to create thicker STORM images.

Tenfold improvement of lateral resolution up to 20nm

N-STORM utilizes high accuracy localization information for thousands of individual fluorophores present in a field of view to create breathtaking “super-resolution” images, exhibiting spatial resolution that is 10 times greater than conventional optical microscopes.

Human cervical cancer cells (HeLa S3) labeled with Alexa Fluor ® 647 (NUP153) and ATTO 488 (TPR) Photos courtesy of: Dr. Michael W. Davidson, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University

Dynamic super-resolution imaging

Newly developed optics and illumination systems, optimized for sCMOS technology, have increased image acquisition speeds by up to 10 times. With acquisition times reduced from minutes to seconds*, dynamic events in live specimens can now be captured with molecular level resolution.

* Using high-speed mode (20 μm x 20 μm imaging area)

High definition, high density images

Newly developed excitation optics and improved image acquisition rates provide increased molecule localization density, resulting in clearer images of macromolecular structures.

Left: Improved image quality, Right: Before improvement Scale bar: 5µm Super-resolution image quality is significantly improved in the same imaging time. Sample: Tubulin of BSC-1 cell labeled with Alexa Fluor® 647, acquisition time: 20 seconds

Large image acquisition area

New intermediate zoom lenses in the imaging system have been developed and optimized for a wide field of view. The wide-view mode achieves 80 μm x 80 μm, a 4-fold increase in imaging area compared to previous models.

Seamless switching between imaging modalities for multi-scale experiments

The N-STORM can be simultaneously combined with a confocal microscope such as the AX/AX R. A desired location in a sample can be specified in a low-magnification/large FOV confocal image and acquired in super-resolution by simply switching the imaging method. Combining a confocal microscope with a super-resolution system can provide a method for gaining larger contextual views of the super-resolution information.

Objectives designed for N-STORM

Silicone immersion objectives

Silicone immersion objectives use high viscosity silicone oil with a refractive index close to that of live cells as an immersion liquid. Because of this improved refractive index compatibility, these objectives can provide improved photon collection capability and resolution when performing super-resolution imaging deeper into the specimen. They exhibit superior chromatic aberration correction and high transmittance over a broad range of wavelengths.

Oil immersion objectives

These objectives provide the high numerical apertures required for N-STORM imaging. The HP objectives are compatible with the ultrahigh power lasers required for inducing rapid photoswitching of fluorophores. They provide improved axial chromatic aberration correction to achieve the highest level of precision in localization and image alignment for 3D multi-color STORM imaging. The AC-type objectives that support the Auto Correction Collar of the Ti2-E microscope allow precise and easy adjustment of the correction collar.