Hardware & Consulting Services
for Multiphoton Microscopy
Innovative experiments often require equipment that is either not readily available on the market or prohibitively expensive. Self-building is often the best option, but can be daunting and onerous. INSS can help: We offer a unique "Assisted-DIY" solution for cost-efficient bespoke equipment. We have decades of experience in designing and building custom equipment for neuroscience research, primarily in the field of multiphoton fluorescence microscopy. We use readily available off-the-shelf components to build bespoke components for multiphoton microscopy, at a price that is typically 30% cheaper compared to larger microscope vendors. And we can ensure that your custom equipment matches your experimental requirements perfectly.
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RT @brunopichler: That was a very nice satellite symposium. @INSS_UK was very happy to support the good cause of Open Source Microsc… https://t.co/10OEHnCVsG
Software
The vast majority of our multiphoton microscopes are controlled via ScanImage®, which has become the de facto standard software for custom-built multiphoton microscopes. ScanImage® originated in Karel Svoboda’s lab at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (Pologruto et al, 2003), but is now being developed and maintained by MBF Bioscience. ScanImage® is written in MATLAB and is available in a Basic or a Premium version (click here for more details). ScanImage® interacts seamlessly with the vDAQ family of data acquisition products, also developed and manufactured by MBF Bioscience. However, you can in principle control INSS Assisted-DIY microscopes with other software (eg. SciScan, ACQ4, Slidebook) and NI-DAQ hardware, if preferred.
hardware
Your research question is the starting point. We identify the most suitable components for your application and you can either purchase them directly from industry-leading suppliers (Thorlabs, Novanta (Cambridge Technologies), Newport, Hamamatsu, Chroma, Semrock, etc.) tor buy them as a custom package from INSS. We will combine those components into a purpose-built multiphoton system that is tailored to your specific experimental requirements. Your custom microscope will match or exceed the performance of ready-made microscopes from larger vendors, but it will cost typically 30% less. And with a custom microscope you can easily add new functionality in the future.
consulting
We provide independent and impartial advice on a wide range of technical and commercial topics. Please get in touch to discuss how we may be able to save you time and money. Here are two examples:
● Do you need an expert opinion before making an important purchasing decision? We can help you to achieve the best value for money when buying neuroscience equipment.
● Do you require microscopy training for your graduate students or post-docs? We can arrange training sessions online or on-site, covering topics such as optical design, data acquisition, image processing, laser safety and more.