HJ2786 Provision & Supply of a Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope System - AWARD

The School of Dentistry at the University of Leeds is seeking tenders for a confocal laser scanning microscope system to be housed in the School's Imaging Suite in the Division of Oral Biology on level 7 of the Wellcome Trust Brenner Building at St James University Hospital Leeds. The Suite has a wide user base within the School, the wider faculty and the University and supports very active research groups in biomineralisation, materials/ biomaterials, tissue engineering and microbiology.

Our requirements are for a confocal laser scanning microscope with an upright microscope stand configuration that can image labelled live cells within a 3D scaffold. The scaffolds have highly variable characteristics ranging from peptide based hydrogels with a density essentially equivalent to that of water through to porous hydroxyapatite, density > 3gm/ml, titanium and ceramics.

Imaging of higher density material will require a highly penetrative laser light source. To image several characteristics in a single construct e.g. nucleus, cytoskeleton and specific stem cell markers the system will have a range of laser wavelengths to exite across the spectrum from 405nm to 700nm.

Imaging will be performed through a range of magnification from low, X5 to high, X100 and will include imaging samples in fluids such as culture fluids and buffers. The microscope will be used by individuals with a range of expertise and backgrounds ranging from dedicated technicians to masters students. Ease of use and an intuitive interface is essential.