An inverted spinning disc confocal microscope for high resolution live-cell imaging

03/03/2026 to 01/03/2030

At the Institute of Cell Biology and the neighbouring Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry at the University of Tübingen we investigate a broad range of cell biological questions ranging from cell cycle regulation in budding yeast to autophagy induction in neurons to RNA-protein interactions in organoids. Common ground in these diverse areas of research is the need for high-resolution fluorescence imaging in live cells, for example to correlate the precise localization and morphology of mitochondria with cell cycle progression, or to watch the formation of phagophores under different drug treatments. In addition to live-cell experiments our institute also employs image-based screening approaches. Our currently available microscopes are strongly limited in speed, resolution, and capacity. A new inverted spinning disc confocal microscope will enable state-of-the-art high-resolution live-cell-imaging and screening approaches to support our current research endeavours and facilitate new discoveries.