Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy
Overview of all FLIM options offered by Lambert Instruments:
Lambert Instruments Fluorescence Attachment - LIFA
- with modulated LED and modulated ICCD and user-friendly software
optional: with directly modulated diode laser as widefield light source
- combined to Yokogawa spinning disk for confocal microscopy FLIM images
- combined to laser-TIRF for FLIM images in TIRF mode
OR
Build your own Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy –FLIM system
- add the modulated image intensifier II18MD, the key component of the LIFA (Lambert Instruments Fluorescence Attachment)
See our list of test sites where Lambert Instruments fluorescence lifetime imaging products are used and publications list LIFA / II18MD papers for references and information on possible applications.
The picture shows 4 HeLa cells with FRET (Alexa488 and Alexa568) only at the centrosomes (the microtubule organizing centers of the cell): the lifetime of Alexa488 at the centrosomes has decreased to 2,3ns, and the lifetime of Alexa488 outside the centrosomes is 2,7ns. The pseudo colored lifetime is merged with the gray scaled intensity image. Courtesy of Prof. Diaspro, Genua, Italy.
products
LIFA, Lambert Instruments Fluorescence Attachment
The LIFA (Lambert Instruments Fluorescence Attachment) for lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) can be attached to any widefield fluorescence microscope and works in the homodyne frequency domain. This means that it consists of a modulated light source and a modulated image intensifier as detector (i.e. ICCD camera). The system is easy to install (within 1 hour) and to operate and does not require an optical bench with laser. The LIFA system has been judged "easy and highly quantitative" for a.o. FLIM FRET studies. See further for its components.
LIFA - combined to laser-TIRF
LIFA - combined to Yokogawa spinning disk
The combination of the LIFA (Lambert Instruments Lifetime Attachment) with the Yokogawa spinning disk enables lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) while doing optical sectioning. The confocal images provide better resolution and are more specific regarding lifetime values per region of interest which is important in case of e.g. FLIM FRET studies.
LIFA-X, for long lifetime phosphorescence imaging
the newest addition to the LIFA product line is the LIFA-X. LIFA stands for Lambert Instruments Fluorescence lifetime imaging Attachment. The LIFA-X is for long lifetime imaging microscopy of lifetimes from 0.1 ns up to 1 ms (phosphorescence). The ‘X’ represents the extended range of lifetimes that can be resolved when compared to the LIFA (0.1 ns – 300 ns). The LIFA-X can be used for, e.g., measuring oxygen concentrations using optodes or reactive oxygen species in cells.
II18MD, modulated image intensifier
The II18MD is the Image Intensifier with an 18mm diameter input screen that can be modulated and is digitally controlled. The II18MD modulated image intensifier is used as key component for FLIM (Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy) in the homodyne frequency domain. The II18MD modulated image intensifier is designed for users who wish to apply the highest quality detector as part of their set-up for fluorescence lifetime imaging.