2017-LS-161 - RFP Super-Resolution Microscope (for multi-colour 3Dvideo from livining samples)

Simon Fraser University intends to purchase a microscope for multi-color 3D video recordings from living biological samples at a resolution below the diffraction limit of light microscopy (Abbe limit). The system to be purchased must accommodate many users with different imaging needs, predominantly from life sciences departments. It will be housed in a multi-user facility.

All vendors must provide a demo system for evaluation (Mandatory Pr-Qualification Equipment Demo's September 11 - November 30)

Mandatory basic configuration

• Is capable of imaging at a lateral resolution of at least 1.5 times below the diffraction limit of light microscopy (Abbe limit)
• Is capable of imaging dyes and fluorescent proteins with emission maxima around 460nm (e.g. DAPI and CFP), 510nm (e.g. GFP, YFP, Alexa488, Cy2), 570nm (e.g. DsRed, Cy3), 610nm (e.g. mCherry, Alexa568), 670nm (e.g. Atto647N, Cy5)
• Is capable of near-simultaneous or simultaneous live cell imaging with at least two fluorescent proteins
• Is capable of sequential imaging of at least 3 fluorophores
• supports time lapse recordings
• Is capable of imaging samples with low signal strengths from genetically-encoded fluorophores (e.g., EGFP, mCherry)
• supports widefield fluorescence and DIC (or comparable) imaging modes
• Includes at least one high magnification (e.g. 100x), high NA (>1.39) objective
• Includes a flexible stage format
• Includes one fully integrated software package that controls all hardware components
• Allows flexible use of analysis software on multiple computers
• 3 years warranty
• Training session for up to fifteen (15) users