Nikon Imaging Center

Institut Curie

The Nikon Imaging Centre at the Curie’s Institut (NIMCE) promotes the improvement and development of bio-imaging technologies and their application to the life sciences.

The NIMCE is to provide to a wide community of scientists throughout France, with the support of Nikon, a large number of up-to-date imaging methodologies to monitor the living cell activity at high spatial and temporal rate, and as a consequence to propose an adequate management of the massive data generated with these approaches.

The NIMCE is an Institut Curie and CNRS core facility for light microscopy developed in partnership with Nikon. The NIMCE is supported by the following corporations, as a corporate partners, Photometrics, Molecular Device and as a corporate contributors Dell, Life Imaging System, TMC and Photonlines by supplying both microscopy equipment and experimental materials.

The mission of the NIMCE is to:

  • To support research while giving the researchers access to most advanced technologies in the field of cellular imaging and the analyse’s and processing’s Imaging Datas.
  • Provide trainning courses, individual instruction, and consulting on advanced light microscopy techniques
  • Stimulate innovation in biological research by providing investigators access to cutting edge microscopy resources with a particular emphasis on developing novel imaging solutions to systems biology challenges
  • Promote cross-discipline collaborations by providing an exciting intellectual commons centered on light microscopy
  • To become a demonstration platform for Nikon’s commercial prospecting.

The NIMCE (NIMCE@IC-CNRS) provides researchers at academic institutions with access to the most advanced technology and optimum conditions for their ground-breaking scientific research. There are currently 7 Nikon Imaging Centers worldwide in total (as of 24 July 2025): Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (NIC@IIT), UC San Diego (NIC@UCSD), King's College London (NIC@KCL),  University of Heidelberg (NIC@HD), Hokkaido University (NIC@HU), Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, and Osaka University/Nikon Imaging Center.

Contact

NIC Director

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Address

12 rue Lhomond
75248 Paris
Cedex 05
FRANCE

Website

Institut Curie

Systems Available

ECLIPSE Ti2-E Inverted Microscope with CSU-W1 Confocal

The CSU-W1 field scanning confocal spinning disk system from Yokogawa Life Sciences, integrated with Nikon’s superb ECLIPSE Ti2 inverted microscope platform, allows users a flexible and powerful system for a wide range of imaging applications. Field scanners are renowned for their low dosage, specimen-friendly characteristics, making them ideal for live cell or organism applications

ECLIPSE Ti2-E Inverted Microscope with AX R Confocal

The AX R point-scanning confocal system includes innovative features powered by artificial intelligence (AI) that dramatically enhance usability for both veteran and novice users. Configured with Nikon's flagship inverted microscope, the ECLIPSE Ti2-E, the AX R system is completely integrated using Nikon's NIS-Elements C imaging software package.

ECLIPSE Ti2-E Inverted Microscope with iLas 2

The Nikon ECLIPSE Ti2-E inverted research microscope provides unmatched performance, ideal for even the most sensitive research applications. Equipped with the iLas 2 TIRF system, it uses a continuously revolving beam to illuminate samples, effectively eliminating the directional illumination artifacts often seen in traditional TIRF setups.

ECLIPSE Ti2-E Widefield Inverted Microscope

The ECLIPSE Ti2-E Inverted research microscope features a groundbreaking 25 mm field of view, maximizing the sensor area of large-format CMOS cameras and significantly improving data throughput. The Ti2-E's unique hardware-triggering capabilities enhance even the most challenging, high-speed imaging applications. Furthermore, the Ti2-E's unique, intelligent functions guide users through imaging workflows by gathering data from internal sensors, eliminating the possibility of user errors. In combination with Nikon's powerful acquisition and analysis software, NIS-Elements, the Ti2 is a total innovation in imaging.

ECLIPSE Ni-E for 3D Deconvolution

The ECLIPSE Ni-E is a fully motorized upright fluorescence microscope. Paired with the NIS-Elements software and 3D deconvolution capabilities, the system allows researchers to acquire sharp, high-contrast volumetric datasets by reducing out-of-focus blur and improving axial resolution. Ideal for thick tissue sections, developmental biology samples, or high-resolution Z-stack acquisitions, the Ni-E’s modular design and automated controls support reproducible, quantitative imaging across multiple fluorescence channels.