Center of Excellence for Brain Imaging Research

VIB-KU Leuven

The VIB Bio Imaging Core at the VIB – KU Leuven Center for Brain has the goal to support imaging from in vitro to in vivo, from millimeter to Ångström, from morphology to mechanism and from image to information. The mission is to facilitate and lower as much as possible the threshold for scientists to get access to know-how for microscopy experiments and measurement time on state-of-the-art devices. The core enables the scientific questions in the center and beyond, by providing researchers with input for experimental design, image acquisition, and novel image analysis schemes. A general aim is to innovate and lead by state-of-the-art imaging.

The core has a broad portfolio and supports many applications from super-resolution to the mesoscale. The core runs 10+ high-end devices and takes pride in its support for image analysis (infrastructure and expertise). The core’s research focuses on the development of new imaging technology and analysis that is connected to the neurodegenerative focus of the center.

Overall, neurons, neuronal tissue as well as whole organs from a multitude of model systems are the daily imaging business in this core, and the experts in this unit are employing a vast number of different applications for empowering the research of its users.

Reach out to us; we are happy to engage with your science.

Contact

Head of VIB BioImaging Core Leuven

Pablo Hernandez Varas

Facility manager VIB BioImaging Core Leuven

email hidden; JavaScript is required

Address

VIB BioImaging Core Leuven
Herestraat 49, box 602
3000 Leuven
Belgium

Website

VIB-KU Leuven

Systems Available

AX R Confocal with NSPARC detector

Nikon's AX R confocal features a 25 mm FOV, up to 8192 x 8192 pixel resolution, and is equipped with AI-based tools for simplifying acquisition and analysis on the ECLIPSE Ti2-E inverted microscope. The AX R includes our high definition resonant scanner, which features a next-generation optical non-linear sampling digitizer, supporting imaging at high pixel densities of up to 2048 x 2048, and with superior image quality compared to other currently available resonant scanning systems.

The Nikon Spatial Array Confocal (NSPARC) detector utilizes an ultra-low noise detector array to collect a two-dimensional image at each scanned point. This method of image scanning microscopy (ISM) improves signal-to-noise ratio by increasing the available signal level while simultaneously allowing imaging with lower excitation power.
 

ECLIPSE Ti2-E Inverted Microscope with N-SIM S Super-Resolution and Cicero spinning disk

The ECLIPSE Ti2-E / N-SIM S super-resolution microscope is a unique high-speed structured illumination system that achieves acquisition speeds of up to 15 fps, enabling fast biological processes to be captured at twice the spatial resolution of conventional light microscopes (up to 115nm in XY). 

The Crest Cicero spinning disk adds fast, user-friendly confocal imaging capabilities, providing improved optical sectioning and high-quality 3D imaging for a wide range of samples. Its compact design and seamless integration support efficient workflows in life sciences, materials science, and other applications requiring detailed three-dimensional visualization.

ECLIPSE Ti2-E Widefield Inverted Microscope with Cicero Spinning Disk Confocal

The ECLIPSE Ti2-E Inverted research microscope with Perfect Focus System (PFS) features a groundbreaking field number of 25, maximizing the sensor area of this system’s large-format CMOS camera: Kinetix. This system has also been equipped with the latest in compact confocal modality: the Cicero, from Crest. 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 for imaging.

ECLIPSE Ti-E Inverted Microscope with A1R HD25 Confocal

Confocal point scanning microscope equipped with a spectral detector, an Okolab incubator for environmental control (T + CO2) and a TIRF unit

ECLIPSE Ni-E Upright Microscope with AX R Confocal

The Nikon Eclipse Ni-E with the AX R Confocal is an advanced, fully motorized upright research microscope paired with a high-speed point-scanning confocal system. TIt combines high-resolution imaging, exceptional sensitivity, and fast acquisition speeds to deliver detailed 3D visualization of cells, tissues, and organ specimens. AI-assisted tools streamline image acquisition and analysis, making it easier to generate high-quality, reproducible results across a wide range of life science research applications.

ECLIPSE Ni-E Upright Microscope with Marzhauser Slide Express 2

The Nikon ECLIPSE Ni-E + Marzhauser Slide Express 2 + Hamamatsu Orca Flash 4.0 and Nikon DS-Fi3 is an upright widefield microscope system configured for high content imaging of slides.

ECLIPSE Ti-E Inverted Microscope with A1 R HD25 Confocal

Capturing high-quality confocal images at ultrahigh-speed and enhanced sensitivity with a resonant scanner and galvano scanner, Nikon's A1R is a powerful tool for the imaging and visualization of intracellular dynamics and interaction. The system comes equipped with a unique hybrid scan head incorporating both an ultra high-speed resonant scanner and a high-resolution galvano scanner, enabling simultaneous bleaching/ photoactivation and acquisition.

ECLIPSE Ni-E Upright Microscope with Yokogawa CSU-X1 Confocal

The CSU-X1 field scanning confocal spinning disk system from Yokogawa Life Sciences, configured with Nikon’s ECLIPSE Ni-E upright microscope, 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 Ni-E Upright Microscope with High-speed Piezo Objective Positioning System

The fully motorized ECLIPSE Ni-E upright microscope, which enables automatic observation, responds to the needs of advanced research in which control of devices such as cameras and confocal systems is linked with microscope control, and supports a wide range of cutting-edge bioscience research.

SMZ25 Stereo Microscope

The Nikon SMZ25 stereo microscope is a high-end, versatile optical instrument designed for advanced research applications, featuring a revolutionary zoom system and a large zoom range. It provides exceptionally high-resolution images and a wide field of view, making it ideal for detailed, three-dimensional observations in fields like molecular biology, cell biology, neurobiology, embryology, developmental biology and systems biology.