Enduring Excellence - Long-Term Performance in Practice at VIB-KU Leuven
Nikky Corthout
Light Microscopy Expert - VIB BioImaging Core Leuven, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease
Pablo Hernández Varas
Head of Core - VIB BioImaging Core Leuven, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease
For more than a century, Nikon microscope systems have been built to last, and the stories behind their longevity continue to inspire us. In this edition of our Enduring Excellence series, we talk with Pablo Hernández Varas and Nikky Corthout, from the VIB BioImaging Core Leuven at Nikon Center of Excellence at KU Leuven, who have been using the Nikon A1 R confocal microscope system that’s been with the lab for over 17 years. Their insights highlight not just the system’s durability, but how it continues to support cutting‑edge scientific discovery to this day.
A System That Stands the Test of Time
Pablo and Nikky believe that the Nikon A1 R confocal microscope system has remained a cornerstone of their lab since the day it was installed in 2009. Designed for long‑term reliability, the system has supported research in neurosciences and cancer biology with consistent imaging quality and dependable performance.
“Knowing that you can rely on a tool for long is an important part of the math that we need to make when making such commitment.”
The Power of Consistent Imaging Performance
When asked what makes the Nikon system exceptional, Pablo and Nikky emphasized its reliability, modularity, reparability, and robustness. “I think it fits very well with the concept of Japanese quality, made to last. I also think it makes you feel like you are doing a fair deal. You trust the brand to drive your research for many years to come, so it becomes part of your scientific identity in a way,” says Pablo.
Breakthroughs That the System Empowered
Live confocal images showing Atg9‑mCherry and Syt‑eGFP in the nervous system of Drosophila larvae. Red boxes in (A) show regions enlarged in (A’). White arrowheads mark Atg9‑mCherry vesicles; orange arrowheads mark Syt‑eGFP vesicles.
Adapted from reference 1.
At the VIB BioImaging Core Leuven, the A1 R confocal has contributed to many important studies, by the combined expertise of Nikky and imaging specialist Sebastian Munck. In a recent EMBO Journal publication, researchers used the system to show that the Parkinson’s‑linked protein Rab39 helps regulate how neurons recycle their components1. A1 R imaging revealed that Rab39 controls the movement of key vesicles in synapses, offering new clues to how disrupted autophagy may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases.
Primary hippocampal neurons expressing GFP PSEN1 or GFP PSEN2 (green) labeled with LysoTracker (red). The inset highlights the co localization of GFP PSEN2 with LysoTracker.
Adapted from reference 2.
In another study published in Cell in 2020, the A1 R also played a central role in uncovering how the protein PSEN2 generates a specific pool of Alzheimer’s‑related Aβ inside cells2. With high‑resolution imaging and colocalization analysis, researchers demonstrated that PSEN2 operates mainly in acidic compartments, influencing which substrates it processes.
“Thanks to their reliability and quality, we still expect to make substantial scientific contributions using these tools.”
A showcase of standout images acquired with the A1R confocal. Image1: Drosophila fly brain trachea, depth coded. Imaging by Nikky Corthout (Nikon AX-NSPARC), sample by Miranda Dyson. Image 2: Mouse skin, Imaging by Nikky Corthout (Nikon Ti2 Cicero), sample by Cecilia Pazzi. Image 3: Neuronal culture, Imaging by Nikky Corthout (Nikon Ti2 Cicero), sample by Celine Vrancx. Image 4: Cortical neurons projecting to the superior colliculus, Imaging by Nikky Corthout (Nikon NiE Yokogawa CSU-X), sample by Alex Calzoni.
A Lasting Partnership Built on Reliability
In addition to the two generations of confocal systems, the ECLIPSE FN1 Fixed Stage Microscope has served the facility for more than twenty years.
Looking ahead, these systems are expected to remain central to ongoing and future research efforts. As Pablo and Nikky explain, “Thanks to their reliability and quality, we still expect to make substantial scientific contributions using these tools.”
While newer technologies continue to emerge*, the A1R confocal microscopes continue to play a critical role.
“Although no longer cutting edge, the A1R confocals remain important workhorses in our portfolio, being constantly booked,” Pablo and Nikky note. For many studies, dependable confocal imaging is the foundation of experimental work, and “most projects require reliable confocal imaging, and this is what these systems can still deliver.” As a result, the microscopes remain “a fundamental part of our infrastructure.”
Beyond technical performance, the relationship with Nikon carries a deeper meaning. “Nikon is to me more than a brand, it’s a philosophy,” Pablo reflects. This perspective highlights the close bond between scientists and their instruments: “It’s very important to understand the relationship between the scientist and the tool where they will spend months of their life on.”
The story of Nikky and Pablo underscore why Nikon imaging systems continue to be relied upon worldwide: enduring excellence, lasting performance, and a clear vision for the future. Stay tuned for more stories in our Enduring Excellence series, where we highlight customers who inspire us with their dedication and long‑term trust in Nikon solutions.
*Nikon’s A1 R confocal microscope is discontinued and replaced by the AX R confocal microscope. Learn more about our 10th generation point scanning confocal - built to last.
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References
- Kilic A. et al., “Soma localized Rab39 inhibits synaptic autophagy by controlling Atg9 vesicle trafficking,” EMBO Journal, 2025 Oct;44(20):5662-5693. doi: 10.1038/s44318-025-00536-8.
- Sannerud R. et al., “Restricted location of PSEN2/γ secretase shapes substrate specificity and generates an intracellular Aβ pool,” Cell, 2016 Jun 30;166(1):193-208. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2016.05.020.
Note: The institutions and job titles listed with each researcher reflect their affiliation at the time of the interview.