Above figure. Examples of real-world image datasets generated on the Zeiss LSM990 platform during its testing and evaluation. Thanks to all researchers who provided test samples.
We have recently obtained BBSRC ALERT 2025 funding (lead applicant, Dr Tony Hayes; £0.758 million) for a new cutting-edge Zeiss LSM990 Lightfield 4D confocal microscope.
The successful application brought together a team of co-investigators from across seven of Cardiff University Schools (BIOSI, MEDIC, DENTL, PHARMY, OPTOM, CHEMY and PHYSX) underscoring the potential of the instrument to catalyse world-class collaborative cross-disciplinary research over the next decade.
The Zeiss LSM 990 confocal is an industry-leading imaging platform that integrates several advanced imaging technologies.
- LSM Lightfield 4D: Enables high speed volumetric imaging at up to 80 volumes per second.
- LSM Spectral Multiplex: Facilitates advanced high-plex fluorescence imaging and spectral unmixing of up to 10 fluorophores in a single scan.
- LSM-Airyscan 2: Delivers super-resolution imaging down to 120nm lateral and 350nm axial at speeds of up to 18.9 frames per second.
- PicoQuant LSM upgrade. Adds photon-counting capabilities, offering single-molecule sensitivity to track complex molecular dynamics and interactions and quantify fluorescence decay.
This flagship microscope will be installed in the Bioimaging Research Hub in a newly refurbished microscopy suite during the first quarter of 2027 and, following a period of staff training, will be made available to researchers across Cardiff University, South Wales and GW4. Further details to follow.
AJH 21.09.26