Leica Microsystems to develop super-resolution microscopes

Leica Microsystems, the Max Planck Society and the German Cancer Research Center recently signed an agreement that gives Leica license to develop the next generation of super-resolution STED (stimulated emission depletion) microscopy, according to a news report issued by the Max Planck Society.

The Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry displays the difference between gated STED and confocal microscopy, with gated STED providing a fundamentally improved spatial resolution over confocal microscopy in living cells.

"This gives Leica Microsystems the license to develop the new technology, called gated STED, into a commercial product and put it on the market," the Max Planck Socety reported.

Gated STED reportedly offers significant improvement in resolution and contrast over that attained through CW-STED (continuous-wave stimulated emission depletion) microscopy. Plus, the society explained, gated STED distinctly reduces laser intensity.

The main application will be the observation of molecule movements in the membrane of living cells.

Leica is expected to launch the new product within the first half of 2012.