GAIA | Point-Rescanning Confocal Super-Resolution Microscopy

GAIA point-rescanning confocal microscope, in a nutshell

Thanks to its patented rescanning confocal technology, GAIA point rescanning confocal is a super-resolution microscope enabling deep live cell imaging beyond the diffraction limit using only nanowatts of power. GAIA point-rescan is available in two versions, streamlined GAIA α and flagship GAIA λ.

GAIA point-rescanning confocal microscope, in more details

Imaging wide in super-resolution

In laser rescanning confocal microscopy, the magnification of the image and the spot are decoupled. Thus, one can magnify the image compared to the spot. In RCM, we do this by giving the rescanners a larger amplitude than the scanners. As a consequence, all the details in the image are pulled further apart and the image is in super-resolution. However, this does not give infinite improvement in resolution. It turns out that the optimal situation is provided by twice as large rescan amplitudes, which improves the resolution by 1.4x.

Imaging deep in super-resolution

Combination of low laser power requirements, high sensitivity of the detector and a novel optical design present in GAIA point rescan, enables super-resolution beyond 500 μm of depth. This makes GAIA point rescan confocal a perfect solution for super-resolution imaging of thick specimens like cleared tissue, whole zebrafish embryos, organoids and spheroids.

Imaging live in super-resolution

GAIA point rescan confocal is also ideal for live cell super-resolution imaging thanks to its very low photo-toxicity. The very low photo-toxicity of GAIA is attributed to two important factors:

• In traditional point-scanning confocal microscopy, high resolution is achieved by closing down the pinhole, reducing the number of photons collected by the detector. GAIA, like its predecessors RCM1 and RCM2, has the ability to achieve super-resolution while still using a large pinhole, thereby collecting more light.
• The sCMOS and qCMOS cameras used in point rescanning confocal microscopy have much higher quantum efficiency than typical PMT detectors used in traditional point-scanning confocal microscopy, hence offering much higher sensitivity. This is illustrated by the curves below.

Imaging versatility in super-resolution

GAIA point rescanning confocal is the first system of its family to use a motorized switchable pinhole that enables perfect confocality for a wide range of objectives (4x up to 100x). For proper super-resolution, one should use high NA objectives.