Microscopy

In addition to the usual light microscopes in the laboratory, which we cannot do without, the state-of-the-art confocal microscopy allows a detailed view of the object through a two-stage magnifying image. In this image, the optics of the microscope have a finite depth of field, similar to the (reducing) image with a camera. In other words, the image of the object is a superposition of a sharp image of the points in the focal plane and a blurred image of points outside the focal plane, but which are still recognized as "sharp" by the detector (eye, camera line). This depth of field prevents a resolution of object details in axial direction. Confocal imaging reduces this depth of field extremely and allows virtual optical sections through the object with corresponding detail information even in axial direction. The trick is a point-to-point imaging.

In short: With this technique we can look at and examine the membranes on the living cell in extreme detail. This leads to an enormous increase in knowledge and insight of living processes, which we need in epigenetics and for human therapeutic approaches.

We also support open source projects dealing with confocal microscopy in order to give colleagues (in African countries for example) the chance to share our knowledge and to incorporate it into projects there. Unconditionally, free of charge, for science and for the service to people.