Nikon Centre of Excellence at the Institute of Molecular Genetics

Photo: Luděk Svoboda, Academic bulletin
From the left – Pavel Hozák, leader of the Laboratory of Biology of the Cell Nucleus (IMG ASCR), Mr. Sumio Eimori, president of Nikon Europe and the director of the IMG Professor Václav Hořejší

Mr. Sumio Eimori, president of Nikon Europe, in his speech highlighted that Nikon will soon celebrate 100th anniversary of the company and not only past, but also the future is very important for Nikon. Placing the Nikon High End microscopical systems in the advanced laboratories as it is in the Institute of Molecular Genetics enables to show all their capabilitites and contributes to the next improvement of the excellent products and services of Nikon. NCE should help Nikon as well as the IMG in future stated Mr. Eimori.

The Centre is a part of the European Network of Nikon Centres of Excellence. There only five these centres in Europe (IMG Prague, ICFO Barcelona, Koki Budapest, UvA Amsterdam, Stockholm). NCE is a partnership and exchange of knowledge with an institute that focuses on a specific area of research. The partnership allows the researchers access to high-end advanced imaging equipment and Nikon technical expertise, and gives Nikon invaluable feedback and input from scientists carrying out cutting edge research, gaining insight into new applications to be able to create the perfect imaging solution.

The Centre has been equipped with the Nikon Biological High End Systems:
• N-SIM – Super Resolution System breaking the optical diffraction limit, based on the Structure Illumination. The system is installed on the Nikon TiE high end research microscope and enables the deep insight into the cell structures.
Nikon’s N-SIM super resolution microscopy system uses structured illumination techniques to produce images with twice the resolution of conventional optical microscopes. With 2D, 3D and TIRF imaging modes, the Nikon N-SIM allows sub-cellular structure to be clearly imaged at speeds of over 1 frame per second.
• Research Macroscope Nikon AZ100 combinable with the Nikon C2+ confocal system – unique system, enabling the confocal imaging of the large objects in one field of view and by one snapshot.
• Research inverted Nikon Ti-E microscope equipped with a unique Perfect Focus System enabling time lapse experiments, combinable with the Nikon C2+ confocal system.
The Ti-E is the market leading motorised inverted research microscope, designed as a flexible and stable platform for all high end and live cell imaging applications. Designed around Nikon’s unique CFI60 optical system, the Ti-E features world-class optical performance and an expandable infinity space, allowing many techniques to be combined on a single microscope including all types of confocal systems.
The award winning Perfect Focus System (PFS) is an established technology in its 3rd iteration, exclusive to the Nikon Ti-E. Designed to continually maintain focus by eliminating mechanical, temperature and experimentally derived drift, it enables the capture of time-lapse experiments for 24 hours and beyond.
• Research upright microscope Nikon Ni-E, combinable with the NikonC2+.
• Nikon C2+ confocal system.

The systems are equipped with the latest technologies that will be available for the broad range of the professional community. We believe that these state-of-the-art technologies will contribute to the next progress in the microscopic research in biology.

The Centre will enable especially:
• Access to the cutting-edge microscopic technologies and equipment, especially to the Super Resolution.
• Training in advanced light microscopy for the scientists and PhD students.