Scientists from the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection at the University of Łódź utilize some of the most advanced microscopes in the world in their research. This state-of-the-art equipment has the potential to contribute to the development of treatment methods and diagnostics for cancer therapy and neurodegenerative diseases.
Laboratory of Microscopic Imaging and Specialized Biological Techniques at the University of Łódź has been equipped with the first Leica MICA WideField system in Poland and the fifth in the world, thus becoming a pioneer in advanced microscopy techniques.
The system is equipped with a very high resolution Thunder module. This device makes it possible to observe objects larger than a single field-of-view of the lens at confocal resolution, which allows for detailed visualisation of the tested samples in the XYZ axes and their reconstruction into 3D images. The new equipment also makes it possible to make films, which is important when interpreting research results and presenting them at conferences and in scientific journals.
Automatic scanning of preparations, fast operation and intuitive handling make it possible for this system to perform a large number of screening tests, which is necessary, for example, for the evaluation of medicinal products. Research on a model imitating human skin or bone implants is ongoing at the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection. The use of nanoparticles in the production of vaccines, in the therapy of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases is a separate topic. The new equipment will be very useful for continuing this extremely important research and this is only a small part of the applications for which it can be used.
As noted by the head of the laboratory, Dr. hab. Sylwia Michlewska, modern microscopes allow scientists to uncover what was previously invisible. As a result, they become indispensable tools in research that shapes the future and pushes the boundaries of our understanding of the world.
The laboratory is the heart of the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection at the University of Łódź. It serves as a meeting point for scientists from various fields. “We participate in research in microbiology, immunology, botany, animal and plant physiology, as well as molecular biology. Specialists from different disciplines come together in our laboratories, fostering new collaborations, projects, and interdisciplinary teams that implement their innovative solutions,” explained Dr. hab. Sylwia Michlewska.
Scientists also use the laboratory’s infrastructure to conduct research on new therapeutic strategies for treating neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, the microscopes available in the laboratories, along with the skilled staff operating them, support research groups working on projects in areas like bone and nerve implantology, opening up new possibilities in regenerative medicine.
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